POT STICKLER

Regarding your editorial "Marijuana Reform": in 1875, Boston's own
Lysander Spooner proposed the following, with respect to alcohol
prohibition, in his essay "Vices Are Not Crimes: A Vindication of
Moral Liberty":

The statute book of Massachusetts makes 10 years the age at which a
female child is supposed to have discretion enough to part with her
virtue. But the same statute book holds that no person, man or woman,
of any age, or any degree of wisdom or experience, has discretion
enough to be trusted to buy and drink a glass of spirits, on his or
her own judgment! What an illustration of the legislative wisdom of
Massachusetts!

If Spooner floated back to Earth today, he'd likely be amazed at how
little things have changed: delighted that the responsible users of
alcohol are no longer hunted down like dogs, yes, but incredulous that
nearly a million people are arrested each year for the vice of
cannabis.

Jim Mileski

North Quincy