U.S. NEEDS TO CHANGE MARIJUANA DRUG LAWS

I am responding to Jim Horning's 6-4-03 letter about correction officers
and marijuana.

Our country now has over 2 million people in jail. We have 5% of the world
population but 25% of the prisoners. 2 million people in prison. Something
is wrong.

It is a good time to be working for the prisons. Good job security, good
pay, and good benefits. When the electorate wants to change the drug laws,
which is at the core of the 2 million in prison, the correctional industry
comes out in full force to stop any such changes.

What ever happened to the old teaching that if you don't like a law change
it. Good luck.

The U.S. needs to change their drug laws. We need to take up the European
approach of harm reduction rather than the U.S. throw away the key approach.

Our government didn't learn a thing from the twenties prohibition of
alcohol, which is a much more dangerous drug than marijuana.

Yes, Jim, you are a part of the problem. You are a cog in the wheel of the
2 million people in prison.

Gary Gall, Cambria, Calif.