Note: We are most interested in knowing if any newspaper that carries Ann
Landers did not publish this item! So far it has been reported by newshawks
as printed in the following newspapers (shown with column, title (when
available), and contact for LTEs):

Washington Post, http://washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/edit/letters/letterform.htm

The Blade (Toledo, OH), Pot charge too harsh, distraught parent says,
letters@theblade.com

Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Marijuana laws are too harsh,
http://www.startribune.com/stonline/html/userguide/letform.html

Dallas Morning News, Mother says possession of marijuana doesn't deserve
prison time, letterstoeditor@dallasnews.com

Akron Beacon-Journal (OH), Punishment for having pot doesn't fit the crime,
vop@thebeaconjournal.com

Charlotte Observer (NC), 'Good kid' caught by harsh marijuana laws,
opinion@charlotte.com

Spokesman Review (WA), Thirty years is too much time, editor@spokesman.com

Newsday (NY), letters@newsday.com

The Glenwood Post, Marijuana laws too harsh, glenwoodnews@sopris.net

The Philadelphia Inquirer, Marijuana laws paint the user in harsh tones,
Inquirer.Opinion@phillynews.co

Toronto Star, lettertoed@thestar.com

ANN LANDERS

Dear Ann:

I just got a phone call from my son. He said, "I've been arrested for
possession of marijuana with intent to distribute." I knew he had used
marijuana on occasion, but I'm sure he never tried to sell it. A lawyer
told me that if someone is caught with marijuana, chances are, the police
will add "intent to distribute," even in the absence of supporting
evidence. The accusation of intent changes the crime from a misdemeanor to
a felony.

Ann, my son is a good kid who attends college and has a part-time job. He
didn't hurt anyone. He didn't steal anything. He didn't cheat anybody. He
was caught with marijuana for his own personal use, and for this, he could
get 30 years in prison. He has never gotten so much as a parking ticket.

I don't approve of smoking grass, nor do I approve of smoking cigarettes or
drinking alcohol. But this punishment seems excessive. I can't help but
think of the thousands of families that have suffered this same horror.
These harsh laws hurt us all. People who criminalize marijuana believe that
users are dangerous addicts in dark trench coats, lurking near playgrounds,
ready to pounce on young children.

I plead for compassion for those who are hurting only themselves when they
use dangerous substances. What they need is counseling and medical
intervention, not prison. Harsh laws don't work. Furthermore, they cost us
a fortune in taxes to prosecute and incarcerate people who pose no danger
to society. Enough.

A Sad Mother in Va.

I'm sad about your son's predicament. If the police added "intent to
distribute" without real evidence, your son will need the help of a
competent lawyer who can get those charges dismissed.

I have long believed that the laws regarding marijuana are too harsh. Those
who keep pot for their own personal use should not be treated as criminals.
Thirty years in prison makes no sense whatsoever. I'm with you.