Pubdate: Sat, 02 Feb 2002
Source: Tallahassee Democrat (FL)
Copyright: 2002 Tallahassee Democrat.
Contact:  http://www.tdo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/444
Author: Kim O'connor

STRICT DRUG LAWS CREATE ABSURD PENALTY BOXES

It is sad that the legislative response to the arrest of the governor's 
daughter seems to be that there need to be stricter laws. If Noelle Bush 
were in Mexico, she would be able to legally go into a pharmacy without a 
prescription and obtain medication for her panic attack. If she were in 
Amsterdam, she would be able to legally go to a coffee house and smoke a 
marijuana cigarette to relax.

By her actions, Noelle Bush has pointed out flagrant flaws in our criminal 
justice system.

If the drinking age were still 18, college-age students wouldn't be looking 
for fake IDs and be at risk of being arrested for having a beer at a bar. 
If our prescription laws were as reasonable at those in Mexico, 
prescription drugs would be affordable and individuals could self-medicate 
under reasonable circumstances such as Noelle's. If marijuana were 
legalized, it could be grown, processed, bought, sold and taxed. This would 
significantly reduce court dockets.

Perhaps after redistricting, new representation at the state and federal 
level will bring a more reasonable focus to change these laws.

Kim O'Connor 
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MAP posted-by: Beth