REDUCE POT PENALTY TO SAVE MILLIONS

Editor -- In your editorial, "Retool the pot law" (March 23), The Chronicle
displayed good sense by urging legislators to save California millions of
dollars and allow our justice system to focus on serious or violent criminals.

Senate Bill 131 by Byron Sher, D-Palo Alto, would make possession of less
than an ounce of marijuana for personal use an infraction instead of a
misdemeanor, and keep the fine at $100. This would mean far fewer jury
trials for the petty offense of carrying cannabis. This commonsense reform
would save taxpayers millions of dollars and free the courts to handle real
crimes.

GLENN BACKES Director, health policy Drug Policy Alliance Sacramento