DOPEY JUSTICE

I'm a senior at Mohonasen High, and for my Participation in Government
class we have been studying the war on drugs.

Mainly we have centered our studies on marijuana. We watched a video in
class about the selling and possession of marijuana. A certain man in the
video was sentenced to a 93-year prison term for growing marijuana in his
basement. Ninety-three years? This man was not a murderer, not a rapist,
but was sentenced for 93 years in prison as a first-time, nonviolent offender.

What I find even more despicable is the news story I saw on television a
few days ago. A 30-year-old female teacher at a New Hampshire high school
engaged in sex with a student when he was 12 years old. She became pregnant
and delivered his baby. This woman was sentenced to only 7 1/2 years in prison.

What is wrong with our criminal justice system? It lets a sex offender off
in a heartbeat but a first-time, nonviolent marijuana possessor has to
suffer 93 years in prison?

ASHLEY JEWETT

Schenectady