Pubdate: Sun, 16 Feb 2014
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2014 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter/
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Pat Patterson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n157/a03.html
Page: 3P

'REEFER MADNESS' REDUX

Mark Davis' latest column, summed up: "I am a libertarian when it
suits me, and not when it doesn't." In a piece stunningly devoid of
logic, Davis regurgitates 1930s-style Reefer Madness "thinking" in
arguing against marijuana legalization.

Now, I am not advocating for people to spark up, nor would I want my
kids doing so. However, those at the "table of rational thought" (a
phrase Davis invokes on his radio show) realize both that (1) people
are going to use it anyway, and (2) according to polls, pot is easier
for underage students to get than is alcohol.

Davis challenges legalization advocates to "name one societal benefit
of the legalization of more drugs." Well, two are readily apparent:
(1) an increase in tax revenue from its regulation and sale, and (2) a
massive reduction in the number of people imprisoned for nonviolent,
victimless crimes. As of the end of 2012, half of federal prisoners
and a sixth of state prisoners were in for drug offenses. Because of
the mandatory sentencing guidelines, drug offenders are rarely
eligible for early release. The unfortunate result is that violent
offenders often serve far less than their sentence. Reversing that
trend is benefit No. 3.

Pat Patterson, Plano
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MAP posted-by: Matt