Pubdate: Wed, 05 Mar 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: Kent Kelley
Page: 20A

COMPARE LIQUOR, POT PROHIBITION

I am one of few people alive today who lived through the days of
Prohibition in the 1920s when the sale and consumption of alcohol was
illegal.

With Prohibition in force, murderous Sicilian Mafia gangs controlled
the illegal alcoholic beverage trade. When that law was repealed,
Mafia kingpins like Al Capone disappeared from the American scene.

Now the so-called Mexican Mafia controls the marijuana trade, and
their crimes against innocent civilians and children make the Sicilian
Mafia look like a benevolent organization.

The resemblance between the Prohibition era of the '20s and today is
startling. As Yogi Berra would say, "It's like deja vu all over again."

I have never tried drugs and never will. But as you oppose legalized
marijuana, think about whom you would rather face on a lonely mass
transit platform at midnight. Would it be a staggering alcoholic
looking for a fight, or a fellow sitting on a bench who is "mellowed
out" on marijuana?

Kent Kelley, Duncanville
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MAP posted-by: Matt