JUST A WEED

Left out of Matt Cameron's excellent, balanced report on marijuana was
the issue of public safety. As a police officer for 18 years, I saw
the horrific waste of good police time spent chasing the non-violent,
non-problem causing marijuana smoker (think Willie Nelson and Michael
Phelps).

As officers tear apart hundreds of thousands of cars looking for a
baggie, the deadly DUI kills a Virginian every day. As our detectives
fly around in helicopters looking for green plants, they miss rapists
who stalk the sidewalks and jogging paths. No question, the
prohibition of marijuana reduces public safety.

Howard Wooldridge

Drug Policy Specialist