DA WASTES RESOURCES ON VINDICTIVE POT CASE

If the four letters printed in Thursday's Spectrum section reflect the
majority sentiment, marijuana prohibition should be in its last gasps.
Not so, judging by District Attorney Brian Blanchard's reaction to a
letter of rebuke sent by four county supervisors regarding his choice
to file felony distribution charges over an arrest at Harvest Fest
2006 ("Board Members Rip Marijuana Prosecution," in the April 10
Wisconsin State Journal).

The felony case against Chris Lankford continues to go forward,
absorbing scarce tax dollars. The next move comes on Tuesday at 10:30
a.m. in Room 1A of the courthouse, 215 S. Hamilton St.

I imagine most residents haven't yet seen the inside of our new
multi-million dollar palace of justice. Not only can they now tour the
building, but also support Lankford and speak out against government
waste and for civil liberties.

It will be an example in citizen oversight of how our scarce and
expensive criminal justice resources are being wasted in a vindictive
prosecution that should never have been filed. This is about much more
than marijuana. Come and see what we're getting for our taxes. Do you
feel safer?

Gary Storck, co-founder, Madison chapter of the National
Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws