Pubdate: Sun, 19 Oct 2014
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2014 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n805/a04.html
Author: Daivd Wares
Page: 17A

DECRIMINALIZE POT

"Considerable downside to decriminalization of pot" (Our Views, Oct. 
13) criticized state Sen. Connie Johnson for advocating 
decriminalizing marijuana use. Yet any thinking person has to 
recognize the wisdom of Johnson's position. Pot shouldn't be 
categorized as a Schedule I drug. It's not addictive like opiates or 
amphetamines. Despite the claims of law enforcement officials, it's 
not a "gateway drug."

Enforcement of laws against marijuana possession, use and sale result 
in racial inequities in arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. A New 
York Times editorial on Oct. 11 noted that an equal percentage of 
blacks and whites use illegal drugs, but blacks are arrested three 
times as often. A Seattle study found that 16 percent of observed 
drug dealers of the five most dangerous drugs were black, but they 
represented 64 percent of arrests for dealing those drugs.

Oklahoma's records are likely similar. Johnson is black. She 
recognizes that unreasonable marijuana laws cause blacks to be 
arrested, prosecuted and imprisoned at much higher rates than whites.

Decriminalization of marijuana would result in huge savings for the 
state in prosecution and incarceration of marijuana users. States 
that have reduced penalties for marijuana use and possession haven't 
seen big increases in problems associated with marijuana use. We 
should be embracing Johnson's recommendations instead of condemning them.

Daivd Wares

Norman

Johnson, D-Oklahoma City, is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. 
Senate seat being vacated early by Tom Coburn.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom