MORE OPINIONS ON POT FROM NEAR AND FAR (6 OF 6)

The dual news stories recently of the Nevada Conference of Police and
Sheriffs first endorsing the proposed Nevada ballot initiative to amend
current marijuana laws and then reversing their stance following NCOPS
President Andy Anderson's resignation made for a sad commentary.

In the past 30 years, stringent and harsh criminal sanctions against
responsible adult marijuana use have done nothing to reduce use. Rather
they have helped create the largest criminal black market in the nation
outside of arms and weapons. This criminal market helps fund more dangerous
and violent activities which endanger not only police, but the public they
serve.

Smart, street-wise police know full well the drag that enforcing marijuana
prohibition laws have on their primary mission of protecting and serving
the public. As the departing Anderson stated in his original endorsement of
the initiative, " ... a single (marijuana) arrest would take anywhere from
a couple of hours to about half my shift ... time that could have been
better spent on the streets addressing violent crime."

More questions need to be asked of the eight NCOPS board members who
backpedaled, claiming "confusion" as to what Anderson was asking them
during his telephone survey. Further, close scrutiny should be used against
any and all law officers who campaign against the initiative on taxpayer
time. Police should be using their job hours to enforce the law, not lobby
for or against proposed changes.

Respectfully submitted,

Lee Eisenstein

Lionel Standish Records

Kailua, Hawaii