Pubdate: Thu, 12 Mar 2015
Source: South Jersey Times (NJ)
Copyright: 2015 New Jersey On-Line LLC
Contact:  http://www.nj.com/southjerseytimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/5507
Author: Mike Mathas

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA WILL MEAN NEED FOR FEWER JAILS

To the Editor:

Will there really be a need for a new five-county South Jersey 
regional jail 10 years from now?

The U.S., with only 4.4 percent of the world's total population, has 
22 percent of its incarcerated population and over 50 percent of all 
American prisoners are non-violent offenders.

Why are so many people who are not a danger to the community behind bars?

The majority of them are victims of the "Drug War" that began under 
President Richard Nixon and intensified under President Ronald 
Reagan, and many were arrested only for using marijuana.

Informed citizens no longer believe the "Reefer Madness" lies. Today 
we know that cannabis is not a gateway drug; that it has real 
medicinal value; and that it is far less harmful, when used as a 
recreational drug, than either alcohol or tobacco.

Several states either legalized or decriminalized possession of 
marijuana last year, and more will follow in years to come. Someday 
New Jersey will be one of them.

When that happens, there will be no need for that new jail.

MIKE MATHAS

Williamstown
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