Pubdate: Sun, 15 Feb 2009
Source: San Jose Mercury News (CA)
Copyright: 2009 San Jose Mercury News
Contact:  http://www.mercurynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/390
Author: George Lawhon
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n168/a14.html

INMATES WORTHY OF RELEASE: POT USERS

The judges' ruling (Editorial, Feb 11) enables our governor to issue 
an order to release those incarcerated only for marijuana possession 
in state and local prisons. That should bring the prison population 
down considerably and reduce taxpayer costs considerably. The 
original reason marijuana became a controlled drug in 1937 was due to 
lobbying from hemp growers and the tobacco companies because during 
the Depression, folks were growing it to mix with their tobacco. Of 
all crimes worthy of "forgiveness for release," this requires the 
simplest review. This would be a simple, effective and practical fix 
to the real problem of overcrowded prisons.

George Lawhon

Sunnyvale
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom