STOP WASTING MONEY, POLICE WORK AND JAIL SPACE; LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

I am writing concerning the current laws prohibiting marijuana. I
believe that marijuana should be legalized for many reasons. One, the
state pays a lot of money in attempts merely to stop the distribution
of marijuana when the reality is that it will probably never happen.
Two, our city and state officers use a lot of time in
marijuana-related drug busts; these officers could be put to better
use in crimes involving worse drugs or crimes with actual violence.
Three, our jails are being filled up with people convicted of these
petty marijuana charges, and the space that's taken up may lead to
the necessity of another jail being built, which equals more money spent.

If marijuana remains illegal, I will be highly disappointed, because
alcohol remains legal. Alcohol has many worse effects on people and
yet it has not been illegalized. Legalize marijuana, but put the same
restraints on it as on alcohol.

- Emily Howlett

Anchorage