MARIJUANA ROOT OF MANY PROBLEMS

My husband joined the Las Vegas Police Department in 1957 when the
height of the narcotics trade was marijuana and heroin. Vegas was
entering its first large growing boom, which meant an ever-growing
police department. The close proximity to California meant the Vegas
P.D. and the California Bureau of Narcotics Enforcement (BNE) often
worked the same narcotics distributors. As a relatively young
patrolman, Ron was one selected to attend the Federal Narcotics
School. Ron then worked closely with the BNE. He continued to work
narcotics prior to being transferred to homicide.

Although he never talked about the gory part of his job, he did tell
stories about the devastating effects narcotics had on people of all
ages. Marijuana was the "introductory" narcotic to harder drugs. No
one said, "Today I think I'll become addicted to heroin and/or
amphetamines." It always started with the time-altering "high" which
came from marijuana.

The constant use of marijuana led to loss of employment, either by
dismissal or quitting. The constant need of cash to purchase
narcotics led to the increase in felony crimes. Burglary, robbery,
grand theft, forgery, etc.

Those who want the growing and use of marijuana to become legal need
to truly face the realities of life!

Donna Manning, Springfield