OFFICER TESTIFIES IN FAVOR OF POT DECRIMINALIZATION

CONCORD - A New Hampshire police officer said Wednesday that
decriminalizing marijuana would help those addicted get treatment and
make it more difficult for young people to obtain it.

"I can tell you the current system we have is allowing our kids to
easily get it," said Brad Jardis, a Hooksett resident who has served
in recent years as a patrolman in Epping and Plaistow.

The Jardis testimony broke up a predictable band of speakers from
both sides one would expect to hear from about legislation (HB 92)
dealing with putting an end to criminal penalties for the possession
and sale of marijuana.

The bill's authors insist police are wasting time and taxpayer money
going after those who sell marijuana.

"This is truly a victimless a crime, a victimless crime," said
Manchester Republican Rep. Steve Vaillancourt, a co-sponsor of the bill.

Opponents warned lawmakers the bill would put New Hampshire in
conflict with federal laws against marijuana and that drug-related
deaths are on the rise.

"People want something done about this problem, and this sends the
wrong message," said Merrimack Republican Rep. Peyton Hinkle.

The House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee took nearly
three hours of testimony on the measure Wednesday before sending it
to a working group for more review.

Jardis said he still believes marijuana is a dangerous drug but that
making it legal would allow government to better restrict it from
being sold to minors.

"I think we should concentrate on telling people they should not be
using drugs and regulating them will help along with an education
program," he said.

"They are too dangerous to be put in the hands of criminal people."

Keene Democratic Rep. Delmar Burridge said Jardis showed a lot of
courage showing up in public to oppose the prevailing view from
local, state and federal public safety officials.

"I think this patrolman's testimony is wonderful, and he's a brave
man to be doing it," Burridge said.

Retired New Jersey State Trooper Jack Cole said he believes most in
law enforcement don't talk with one another about their views on
whether the war against drugs is worth fighting.

Cole suspects many of them believe as Jardis does. That's why he is
now executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a
group dedicated to passing such laws.

"I suggest to you that whole armies of police officers will never be
able to arrest our way out of this problem," he said.

But other state and local police officers and prosecutors said
marijuana should remain an illegal drug because it can lead some
users to become violent or use more addictive drugs such as heroin or cocaine.

"This does open the door to other drug use," said state police Maj.
David Kelley.

"I'm not here to say every single individual who uses pot goes on to
other drugs, but there are a number of people who do."

Nashua Democratic Rep. Jeffrey Fontas, a 19-year-old freshman
lawmaker, said there's no question in his mind that getting marijuana
is easier than getting alcohol.

"It is very difficult to buy alcohol because I am underage," he said.
"When you go to a drug dealer, they don't ask you for an ID. If you
go to a liquor store, they do."