RETIRED OFFICER ON MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Speaking as a retired police officer, I heartily agree with Ms.
Smith's op-ed on the relative risks of using marijuana. As a cop, I
was dispatched to zero, nada, no calls generated by the use of
marijuana. Pot prohibition generated several shootings and one murder,
along with assorted robberies.

As we consider legalization, keep in mind that every hour a detective
flies around in a helicopter equals one less hour to catch a pedophile
in an Internet chat room.

Every hour road officers search a car for a baggy equals less time and
attention for the deadly drunk driver. Mothers Against Drunk Driving
was founded because of alcohol use.

The number of people hurt by stoned drivers is still so small, no one
has started an organization.

Howard Wooldridge

Springville