COUNTY, STATE JAILS FULL UP

Smoking Non-Crime

The Chronicle's Dec. 11 article "Not all agree new jails needed /
Lawmaker says county should let some offenders out on bail to free up
existing cells" hit the nail on the head by its highlighting of the
problems in our overcrowded jails.

Low-level offenders do not need to be taking up space needed for
violent criminals.

It's good to see that Texas Sen. John Whitmire may be getting smart
on crime in looking into "shorter sentences for some crimes." Simple
marijuana possession should not be an offense that causes an arrest.

If a crime is committed, then lock the criminal up, but don't put
someone through the criminal justice grinder when they use marijuana
responsibly.

Steve Nolin

President, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws

Houston