Pubdate: Tue, 14 Feb 2006 Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen (IA) Copyright: 2006 Iowa City Press-Citizen Contact: http://www.press-citizen.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1330 Author: John Deeth Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n181/a04.html HONEST TALK ON TABOO TOPICS Thank you, Lonny Pulkrabek, for having the guts to stand up to the drug war mentality by calling for more sensible penalties and policies for small-amount simple drug possession and public intoxication ("White responds to marijuana ideas," Feb. 10). It's regrettable that lame duck county attorney J. Patrick White is hostile to reform. The candidates to succeed him, Janet Lyness and Nick Maybanks, should be asked about this issue at every candidate forum. So should our legislators and legislative candidates -- and they should not be let off easy with non-answers about how this won't reach the floor. Sheriff Pulkrabek has taken a step forward in promoting sensible discussion of this taboo topic, and Iowans should take advantage of the opportunity. John Deeth Iowa City - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman