MAYOR SAYS MARIJUANA PROSECUTIONS A WASTE

Mayor Richard Daley, a former prosecutor, runs the nation's
third-largest city with a pragmatic, law-and-order style.

So when he starts complaining about the colossal waste of time and
money involved in prosecuting small-time marijuana cases, people take
notice.

Daley said late last month that a police sergeant was on to something
when he suggested that it might be better to impose fines between $250
and $1,000 for possession of small amounts of marijuana rather than
prosecute the cases.

Sgt. Thomas Donegan determined that nearly 7,000 cases involving 2.5
grams of pot or less were filed last year in Chicago. About 94 percent
were dismissed.