Pubdate: Wed, 23 Apr 2014
Source: Frederick News Post (MD)
Copyright: 2014 Leigh Maddox
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/Z0khz4CI
Website: http://www.fredericknewspost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/814
Author: Leigh Maddox

SMITH'S BACKWARD RESPONSE TO POT LAW

It is unfortunate that Frederick County State's Attorney Charlie
Smith, unlike his colleagues in the New Jersey State Municipal
Prosecutors' Association and unlike the thousands of law enforcement
officials who have joined Law Enforcement Against Prohibition in order
to help end the drug war, refuses to listen to the will of the people
and embrace marijuana policy reform.

The prohibition of marijuana wastes law enforcement resources, creates
profits for organized crime, incentivizes violence, exacerbates racial
disparities in the criminal justice system and creates an uncontrolled
market in which kids sell to other kids.

The Maryland decriminalization bill, like most pieces of legislation,
is not perfect, but it has ignited a grounded public policy debate
about the failures of current drug law and its unintended consequences
in our community.

Gone are the days when law enforcement could prevent sensible
legislation with satire and fear-mongering. I welcome the new dialogue.

Capt. LEIGH MADDOX, retired, Maryland State Police, Baltimore 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D