WEST HOLLYWOOD ADOPTS SANE POLICY ON POT

The West Hollywood City Council's vote to make marijuana possession a
low law enforcement priority (June 20) should be followed by other
cities and counties. Nationwide, police are making more marijuana
possession arrests and fewer important drug arrests than they used to.
Since 1991, marijuana possession arrests have increased from 22.4% of
total drug arrests to 39.5% in 2003, while arrests for heroin and
cocaine sales have decreased from 22.5% of the total to 8.8%,
according to the White House.

In most of the country the police make more marijuana possession
arrests than arrests for robbery and rape. West Hollywood is doing the
smart thing if it wants to protect public safety and properly manage
the sheriff's deputies who patrol its streets.

Eric E. Sterling

President, Criminal Justice Policy Foundation

Silver Spring, Md.