SMOKING POT IS VICTIMLESS CRIME

Dear Editor:

In regard to the letter, "Sentences in pot cases should be more
severe," the Bible does not authorize jailing people for marijuana
crimes.

Punishing victimless drug crimes exceeds the standard for retributive
punishment established in the Bible.

Exodus 21:23-25, "life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand
for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for
bruise". Also, see Leviticus, 24:20, and Deuteronomy, 19:21. Since
marijuana "criminals" have murdered no one, blinded no one and haven't
knocked out anyone's teeth and no maiming has occurred, there is no
valid basis for punishment for using, possessing or growing cannabis?

Punishing "victimless crimes" violates the standard of justice God
commands in the Bible.

Ralph Givens

Daly City, California