REEFER MADNESS

Marijuana possession in amounts under 25 grams has already been
decriminalized in New York State. No one should be arrested for simple
possession. But former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani instituted a policy of
incarcerating marijuana law violators so their fingerprints could be
checked - which means a person apprehended on Friday could stay in jail
until his or her fingerprints are checked the following Monday. Police joke
about the situation, calling this, "Doing your time up front." This is
another example of the executive branch hoarding power from the legislature
when it dislikes a law it cannot change.

Unfortunately, those unjustly jailed are mostly without power. If this was
being done to speeders or parking-law violators, it wouldn't be tolerated.

Matthew Hulett

Short Hills, N.J.