COPS, JUDGES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST PROHIBITION SAY LEGALIZE
POT

As the leader of the world's largest organization of police, judges
and other criminal justice professionals who oppose the policy of drug
prohibition, I'd like to echo letter writer Tim Hinterberger's
rebuttal to Alaska Attorney General David Marquez ("Attorney general
misrepresented the facts about marijuana use," Feb. 16).

Having the criminal justice system as the primary arm of public
response to marijuana use is bad policy. Alaska's current law mirrors
the commonsense approach we use in response to the most addictive and
dangerous drugs -- alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals. Those who use
these substances privately without harm to others should not be
targets of police investigation or intervention.

Furthermore, based on our combined decades of experience fighting the
so-called "drug war," the cops and judges of Law Enforcement Against
Prohibition believe it's time to legalize marijuana for adults only
and move production and distribution into a licensed and regulated
setting. This need is even more urgent based on the recurring
criticisms from your Gov. Frank Murkowski and Attorney General Marquez.

Legalizing marijuana for adults will not solve all the problems
connected to pot in our society. But proposals to recriminalize adult
marijuana possession in Alaska are obviously a strong step in the
wrong direction.

JACK A. COLE

Executive Director

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Medford, Mass.