Pubdate: Tue, 06 Mar 2001 Source: Watertown Daily Times (NY) Copyright: 2001 Watertown Daily Times Contact: 260 Washington Street, Watertown NY 13601-3364 Fax: (315) 782-1040 Website: http://www.wdt.net Author: Kelli Hogan Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01.n365.a06.html MORE REEFER MADNESS To The Editor, In response to DA Richards letter....The people who are in favor of decriminalization and legalization are gaining momentum and aren't going to be slowed downed for lack of a North Country DA's validation. Not all convicted felons are in prison because the were dealing heavily or caught with large amounts.Quite the opposite and the reason for my opposition of harsh drug laws. If caught with even a gram of marijuana you will go to jail lose your car and pay ridiculously heavy fines.Contrary to the DA's statement they don't offer marijuana rehabilitation..before they send you to jail.So this venue isn't even approached its just jail. Now why would the DA want to mislead the publics trust in such a deliberate way sounds like politics to me. I'd like to know what harm to society he thinks marijuana would cause if he didn't get these dangerous potheads off the street? Are our streets really any safer now that ol' uncle Joe is in the big house? This is as archaic as the Reefer madness film . The D A wants to link marijuana to the reasons people steal and commit violent crimes,more fabricating. People who are violent do violent acts. People who have larceny in their hearts steal.They may drink coffee and smoke cigarettes too but we shouldn't shift the blame to the scapegoat. Also I would like to comment on the D A accusing all those involved in fighting for just laws and personal freedoms..of being users and dealers.Now if Mr. Richards were inclined to be a contemplating man he would realize that the dealers have the most to lose, if marijuana were legal they wouldn't have a black market would they? Prohibition has never worked and still isn't working. Kelli Hogan, Potsdam , New York - --- MAP posted-by: Terry F