A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL, TAKE TWO

Speaking of crime and punishment, why is the DA's office, which
laments that it no longer has resources to criminally prosecute
low-level marijuana and drug paraphernalia cases, still pursuing
felony charges against Madison resident Chris Lankford, 31, for
(gasp!) passing a joint to another man at a pro-marijuana rally last
year?

"That's his choice," says Blanchard, referring to Lankford. He says
his office still prosecutes distribution, which includes passing a
joint, but usually handles minor cases as misdemeanors. But when
Lankford refused to accept this, the office refiled the charges as a
felony.

"We offered to treat it as a misdemeanor offense," says Blanchard, "so
it's he who has opted to have a trial on a felony level."

Lankford's attorney, Peter Steinberg, intends to contest the legality
of the search, as he tried to do when it was a misdemeanor charge. He
says the case shows the DA's office is still waging a nonsensical war
on pot.

"How many years have DAs been claiming we don't prosecute minor
marijuana cases?" Steinberg asks. "They do. I haven't seen any change.
They are pursuing an objectively stupid policy."