Pubdate: Tue, 07 Jun 2005
Source: Colorado Daily (UC Edu, CO)
Copyright: 2005 Colorado Daily
Contact:  http://www.coloradodaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1557
Author: Richard Valenty

LEGALIZE (AND TAX) IT?

Some might say the Boulder County chapter of the National Organization for
Reform of Marijuana Laws is taking an unusual step by inviting a former
officer of the law to its next meeting.

But Howard Wooldridge, a former police officer who worked near Lansing,
Mich., is among a group of officers NORML would like to hear more from.
According to Wooldridge, the current War on Drugs is a waste of legal
resources that could be better spent battling drunk driving, child
molestation or a host of other crimes capable of greater negative impacts
than the "personal bad choice" of drug abuse.

Wooldridge said he found during his 18 years in law enforcement that
alcohol, the legal drug, has been "1,000 times worse" than marijuana in
causing public safety issues such as physical violence and traffic accidents
with occasional fatalities.

Wooldridge is touring the country as a speaker for and member of Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), based in Medford, Mass., and said
his solution to drug-related enforcement costs and loss of personal
liberties due to surveillance or searches is simple.

"I would legalize, regulate and tax all of them," said Wooldridge during a
Monday interview with the Colorado Daily. "After 14 years of (alcohol)
Prohibition, our grandfathers figured it out."

Wooldridge said he does not personally advocate the use of drugs, but said
the current prohibition has created a lucrative yet dangerous black market
for those willing to take the risk. He said Americans still buy and sell
illegal drugs in large quantities, but they are often buying drugs of
unregulated purity at high costs from potentially armed criminals instead of
from regulated purveyors.

"I consider the dealer and his/her network the single greatest evil out
there today," said Wooldridge. "One of our goals is simply to destroy the
black market."

Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle is also no fan of the black market, but
does not believe the expense of local drug enforcement hinders enforcement
in other areas. Funding for the Boulder County Drug Task Force (BCDTF) comes
from a combination of federal, municipal and county appropriations, and
Pelle said the BCDTF allows officers to focus on other crimes while the task
force specializes on drug cases.

"First, the term War on Drugs in quotes makes me cringe," said Pelle.
"That's not what we're doing. I have more than 200 deputies, and four of
them are dedicated to working on drug issues."

Pelle said he had "no disagreement" with Wooldridge's statement that alcohol
abuse causes more problems for law enforcement agencies than marijuana use.
Pelle said the task force is working to prevent heroin overdoses, cocaine
trafficking and dangers associated with meth labs, although he said he did
not believe enforcement alone would solve drug-related problems.

"I think there has to be education, prevention, intervention and
enforcement," said Pelle. "Enforcement is one aspect of it, one we've been
asked to do, and we're doing it."

Wooldridge did not have direct comments about Boulder County efforts, but
said the federal government is operating a well-funded "jihad" against
illegal drugs. For example, Congress appropriated $150 million in 2002-03
and $145 million in 2003-04 to fund anti-drug media messages through
Partnership for a Drug-Free America and other entities, according to the Web
site www.drugfree. org.

Wooldridge said those interested in discovering the impetus for anti-drug
efforts can simply "follow the money." He said most law enforcement
officials will favor anti-drug programs because they guarantee jobs, but
also said a number of private-sector industries would stand to lose big
money if illegal drugs became legal.

"Who's opposing marijuana in 2005?" asked Wooldridge. "The pharmaceutical
and alcohol companies. Millions of Americans my age or younger would
willingly put down the Jack and Coke at 6 p.m. and smoke a marijuana
cigarette instead."

Wooldridge said pharmaceutical companies could lose "billions" of dollars if
those able to use medicinal marijuana for pain or as an appetite stimulant
could simply grow pot in their homes legally.

Colorado voters passed Amendment 20, removing state-level penalties for
medicinal marijuana use, with 54 percent approval in the year 2000. However,
the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Monday that federal authorities could prosecute
users despite the existence of state laws (see story, Page 8).

Wooldridge said a number of officers also take the "jihad" personally,
violating Fourth Amendment restrictions on search and seizure or lying under
oath to make a drug bust stick.

"They violate these laws knowing it's a holy war, believing they're still
going to heaven," said Wooldridge. "Corruption in my profession is off the
chart."

Pelle said Boulder County drug enforcement is primarily geared towards
maintaining safe neighborhoods.

"My experience is that people don't like having drug dealers next door,"
said Pelle. "When they call to complain, and there's obviously a violation,
we take action."

Wooldridge said he would be "preaching to the choir" Tuesday before NORML,
but said his message of protecting civil liberties and saving money is also
taking hold with conservatives and members of groups such as Kiwanis
International and Rotary International.

He said he is not aware of being under any special scrutiny from the federal
government or other entities, and said he intends to continue speaking out
against drug prohibition in the future.

"I'm going to die on my feet before I live on my knees," said Wooldridge.
"If they arrest me for drugs, it was planted."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Josh