Pubdate: Thu, 02 Mar 2006
Source: Des Moines Register (IA)
Copyright: 2006 The Des Moines Register.
Contact:  http://desmoinesregister.com/index.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/123
Author: Dave Zimmer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

DON'T WEAKEN MARIJUANA LAWS

I applaud the Iowa senators who support increased penalties for 
marijuana possession.

The Register criticized increased penalties and supported weaker 
penalties ("Rethink Jail Terms for Small Amounts of Pot," Feb. 18 
editorial). The editorial supported Johnson County Sheriff Lonny 
Pulkrabek's proposal that would weaken Iowa's drug laws pertaining to 
marijuana possession.

The Register fails to understand that an overwhelming number of 
law-enforcement officers in this state do not agree with Pulkrabek's 
stance. The sheriff is only one man with one opinion.

How the Register can take the view of one man and portray it in an 
editorial as being the collective view of "those charged with 
enforcing the laws" is beyond comprehension.

I sincerely hope lawmakers resist the temptation to weaken Iowa's 
drug laws. Instead, citizens, law-enforcement officers and lawmakers 
must maintain a strong stance on illegal drug use. Doing otherwise 
sends the wrong moral message and jeopardizes public health and safety.

- - Dave Zimmer

Altoona.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman