LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

I find it disturbing when law enforcement moves from enforcing the law
to commanding the law. ("Law Enforcement Enters The Fray Over Rolling
Back Drug Sentencing," Watertown Daily Times, June 7.

The Rockefeller drug laws have New York taxpayers paying more for
prisons than for education. It has put mothers in prison for life on
conspiracy charges. Conspiracy charges mean no drugs were found in
their possession.

It has made the legislators lazy in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, Franklin,
and Lewis counties. They depend on prison population to secure census
related funding. Look at what the Law Enforcement Coalition Against
drug Decriminalization is made up of. All are supported by New York
Taxpayers.

With crime at a 20 year low, they want to chase low-level non-violent
substance users. They say they "are not trying to kill reform". But
yet they want to block the diversion of drug offenders to treatment.
Ninety percent of drug crimes are prohibition not drug use.

The prohibition of alcohol gave birth to the potent and very dangerous
moonshine. The crack down on marijuana ditch weed created hydroponic
marijuana. The crack down on cross tops and black beauties gave birth
to Methamphetamine. When alcohol was re-legalized moonshine became a
nonissue.

It is time to legalize marijuana. That will be our gateway out of hard
drugs. We would no longer need the Rockefeller drug laws. Maybe then
the taxpayer can travel without being profiled as a drug user for
tinted windows or a burnt out bulb on our vehicles.

Larry Seguin

Lisbon