TIME TO DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA IS NOW

It is time for Americans in all 50 states to realize the state and
federal governments do not have the ultimate power in determining
decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. Both would relieve
the incredible overcrowding in prisons and would save millions, if not
billions, each year spent to incarcerate pot smokers, buyers and dealers.

Federal and state prisons could be used as intended -- for violent
crimes such as murder, rape, extortion, robbery, kidnapping, etc. Only
the people have the voice to decriminalize and legalize marijuana,
with provisions, of course, to match liquor laws as they apply to the
average citizen.

If everyone got together in all 50 states, collected enough
signatures, it would go to ballot and the peoples' "will" could
overturn existing and unfair marijuana laws and convictions, as they
stand now. The people are the ultimate power. If the people do not
stand up for what is long overdue, then they will be driven like a
herd of beasts, one by one, to be branded or butchered.

Good people are being destroyed by current marijuana laws and
convictions and these laws must be updated to reflect the peoples'
will. Think of the millions, if not billions, collected as taxes from
marijuana sales, controlled by state and federal law and guided by
tobacco laws as they stand now. Marijuana has never killed anyone in a
health-related issue unless it was from trigger happy law
enforcement.

Liquor and tobacco use have killed more people than both World Wars,
Korea, Vietnam, Middle East and the plague in 17th century France.

Think of the cooperation with law enforcement by the average citizen
through decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. We all know
of liquor and tobacco lobbyists in Congress who do not care how many
deaths are caused by liquor and tobacco use.

Make a stand, America, or you will take it lying down.

Wayne A. Smith

Edison