PROTECT PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS, LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

Bureau of Narcotics Director Frank Melton, in his zeal to fight drugs, is
suggesting that we the people give up more and more of our constitutional
rights to privacy and freedom. For example, he wants to have more arbitrary
road blocks to check for illegal drugs, in addition to search and seizure
without a search warrant.

He says he's mainly wanting to stop the harder stuff like crack cocaine and
meth manufacturers.

Mr. Melton is not above the law, even though he seems to think he is.
Furthermore, what he's trying to do will not only weaken an already
battered Constitution, but will drive drug prices higher, which will cause
even more pain and suffering to the families already affected by the users.

Another effect of his police state will be the arrest and seizure of
property of people who smoke pot or grow it for their own use. What an
incentive this gives to law enforcement around the country to harass,
injure and invade the privacy of its citizens.

If marijuana were decriminalized, the big drug cartels would lose a big
chunk of business, a lot of killing would stop, pot prices would
drastically drop and the economy of our entire country would be greatly
improved.

Of course, I'm not saying smoking pot, drinking liquor, or even taking
doctor-prescribed tranquilizers is good. They are not good. It's a choice
each person has to make for himself or herself.

We need people on Capitol Hill who will stand up, speak out, uphold and
protect our constitutional rights regardless of how they might personally
feel about pot or alcohol.

P.S. I don't smoke pot any more, so please don't break down my door.

H.M. Coker Tupelo