Pubdate: Tue,  3 Jun 2003
Source: New York Times (NY)
Contact:  2003 The New York Times Company
Website: http://www.nytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/298
Author: William J. Kelly Jr
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n804/a11.html?1193
Note title by MAPinc

DRACONIAN HARSHNESS OF OUR DRUG LAWS

To the Editor:

In "Federal Persecution" (editorial, May 31), you call for fair play
and justice in the sentencing of Ed Rosenthal, a medical marijuana
advocate, in California. I agree. The draconian harshness of our drug
laws results in too many miscarriages of justice. It is a cruel irony
that this country is among the world's leaders in the incarceration of
its citizens.

I do question, however, the phrasing of your conclusion: "There is consider
able political pressure on federal judges now not to deviate from federal
sentencing guidelines." Political pressure brought by whom?

William J. Kelly Jr.

Stockholm, N.J.
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MAP posted-by: Derek