LET'S FOLLOW NETHERLANDS' LEAD ON POT LAWS

After having recently returned from a trip that included time spent in
the beautiful city of Amsterdam, Netherlands, I would like to mention
an idea that I have not yet seen discussed in editorials. The
Netherlands has a policy of making legal and accepting marijuana and
prostitution. Please note, I said acceptance not approval.

Their belief is that prostitution and marijuana use have a history as
old as mankind and will not go away by simply passing a law against
them. They legalize the use of marijuana and prostitution so that it
can be controlled. Notice, controlled, not approved.

As a result, they do not have anywhere near the problems with rape,
domestic violence or sex crimes that we do. Nor do they have anything
close to the level of problems with drugs that we have in this
country. We foolishly spend billions on the drug war that we are
losing. Think about how even a portion of that money could be better
spent on education and enrichment development. What a difference we
could make in positively changing our country by re-focusing our
resources and efforts in positive ways instead of trying to fight a
battle that will never be won.

California has already voted to legalize medical marijuana. That was a
wise step toward extricating ourselves from an unnecessary and
ineffective law. Too bad the "powers that be" did not get the message.

Lynne Sutter

Eden Valley