Pubdate: Wed, 23 Mar 2016
Source: Orlando Sentinel (FL)
Copyright: 2016 Orlando Sentinel
Contact:  http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/325
Note: Rarely prints out-of-state LTEs.
Author: LaShanna Tyson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n144/a03.html

EASE POT PENALTY

Regarding the Sentinel editorial "Drug policy gets smarter in 
Volusia" on March 10: I applaud the efforts of Volusia County in 
decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of marijuana, and I 
believe that Orange County, along with the city of Orlando should follow suit.

With the current push to legalize medical marijuana, it doesn't make 
financial sense to arrest and prosecute those who are found with 
small amounts of the drug. It costs taxpayers an exorbitant amount of 
money to prosecute an individual for an infraction. If the government 
would make marijuana legal, it would give government an absolute 
advantage in the market, as it could regulate and legally produce 
more of it than the current street pharmacists at a lower cost, 
effectively putting them out of business.

The editorial stated that in lieu of prosecution, the penalty would 
be a $100 fine. This alternative would greatly cut the state's cost 
when compared to prosecuting offenders, which in return would 
increase local economic growth for the municipality.

LaShanna Tyson Altamonte Springs
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom