MARIJUANA LAWS

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 pass 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 laws have on their primary mission of protecting and serving the
public. A single marijuana arrest could take anywhere from a couple of hours
to about half a shift ... time that could have been better spent on the
streets addressing violent crime.

Donald Lyons

1729 Erie St., Racine