Recently, I had the opportunity to visit with a group of students from Newburyport High School who were on a tour of the Middleton House of Correction. We talked about a number of issues that dealt with the correctional industry and the business of law enforcement. The discussions were insightful and showed that the young people are paying attention to the world around them.

As the visit continued, the focus of the students' questions shifted toward my view of the voters' recent decision to diminish the criminal penalties if someone is caught with an ounce or less of marijuana.

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