Pubdate: Fri, 20 Dec 2013
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2013 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Laura Pegram
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n599/a05.html

POT PENALTIES SHOULDN'T RUIN LIFE

Re: "A nod to 18-, 21-year-olds," Dec. 17 news story.

We would like to applaud the recent efforts of Councilman Albus 
Brooks and the Denver City Council to decriminalize marijuana for 
those between the ages of 18 and 21. By replacing criminal penalties 
with civil fines, the council has made great effort to address the 
pervasive, extreme and disproportionate collateral consequences of a 
drug charge or arrest (not necessarily even a conviction).

The Drug Policy Alliance has long supported reality-based approaches 
to drug use issues, including efforts to reduce the impact of 
low-level drug offenses on a young person's life. Collateral 
consequences of a drug conviction can impact eligibility for federal 
student financial aid, public assistance, and school admissions. 
Additionally, it can bar entry into scores of licensing boards and 
professional associations, thereby limiting educational opportunity 
and employment options, creating lifelong ramifications 
disproportionate to the offense.

Efforts such as this speak to the intent of Amendment 64 and broader 
drug policy reform by redirecting drug use and misuse issues from 
punitive, ineffective and overly burdensome criminal justice 
responses to those focused on health, compassion and human rights.

Laura Pegram, Denver The writer is a policy associate for the Drug 
Policy Alliance.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom