Pubdate: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2014 The State Journal-Register Contact: http://service.sj-r.com/forms/letters.asp Website: http://www.sj-r.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425 Author: Larry Stevens NEWSPAPER OF RECORD CATCHES UP TO SJ-R ON MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION The New York Times editorial board, a long-time proponent of the War on Drugs, recently dropped a bombshell on the drug policy debate, calling for an end to cannabis prohibition. It's no exaggeration to liken this to Walter Cronkite coming out against the war in Vietnam. I am writing today to congratulate the editorial board of The State Journal-Register for coming to this same wise, logical and compassionate conclusion over a year in advance of the "newspaper of record." On March 24, 2013, you editorialized in favor of legalizing recreational cannabis, writing, "Allowing the sale of marijuana also could be a potential revenue source, although saving money on prison costs and instituting a more just criminal justice system is our primary motivation for urging the legislature to consider legalization." The NYT has caught up to The State Journal-Register. Can the USA be far behind? Larry Stevens Springfield - --- MAP posted-by: Matt