SAY NO TO THE AMERICAN INQUISITION

Re: Bill Kaufmann's excellent March 2 column "Pot shots," not only do
marijuana possession arrests strain police resources, they have little
impact on rates of use. Consider the experience of the former land of the
free and current record-holder in citizens incarcerated. A University of
Michigan study reports lifetime use of marijuana is higher in the U.S. than
any European country, yet the U.S. is one of the few Western countries that
uses its criminal justice system to punish citizens who prefer marijuana to
martinis. Short-term health effects of marijuana are inconsequential
compared to long-term effects of criminal records. Canada should follow the
lead of Europe and just say no to the American Inquisition.

Robert Sharpe

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.

(Decrimalization makes sense.)