PROP 1 FIGHTS DRUG USE IN A SANE, MEASURED WAY

Editor, the Tribune:

I would like to thank Forrest Rose for his Feb. 4 column "Pot proposal is a
step toward sanity." Rose takes a common-sense approach to the issue
instead of the moral absolutist, intellectually vacuous approach taken by
Proposition 1's opponents.

Making marijuana possession an ordinance violation rather than a crime is
not going to encourage Johnny Drug Dealer to run willy-nilly about the
streets of Columbia, littering the sidewalk with joints and encouraging
children to be insubordinate to their parents. What Prop 1 will do is make
sure Jane Student won't be stigmatized for life and be unable to get the
student loan she needs to become a productive, responsible member of
society. Sure, Jane exercised poor judgment in using marijuana, and luckily
the fine she will have to pay even if Prop 1 passes will encourage her to
exercise better judgment.

"But what about Johnny Drug Dealer?" ask those who don't think people
should be able to decide their own policies as our Constitution
contemplates. "Won't he be able to get off with a fine, too?"

The answer is no.

Those who possess and distribute large quantities of marijuana will still
receive the same penalties as before. Our drug laws' goals will still be
achieved. And since our overworked, underfunded police won't be spending as
much time arresting, booking and interrogating Jane Student, they can
devote more time to catching Johnny Drug Dealers of the world and making
Columbia safer for all of us.

Christopher Pieper