Pubdate: Wed, 26 Nov 2014
Source: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner (AK)
Copyright: 2014 Fairbanks Publishing Company, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsminer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/764
Author: Jason Guilford

STOP POT PROSECUTIONS

To the editor: It is with some regret that I see today that the state 
of Alaska is not going to suspend its ongoing prosecution for 
marijuana violations.

I know the law legalizing marijuana isn't in effect yet. I know that 
the people who will be prosecuted stand accused of having broken a 
law. I get it. Break the law, there are consequences. Blah, blah, blah.

Phooey.

The "war on drugs" is a colossal waste of resources. It does not stop 
anyone from using drugs. But it does an excellent job of putting 
people behind bars. Every arrest for marijuana, every attempt at 
prosecution for marijuana, every incarceration for marijuana is money 
that we don't have down the drain.

Yes, new legislation is coming. But it's not coming at some 
indeterminate time. The law has been passed. It only remains for it 
to be placed in effect.

Technically, the state is correct: the law should be prosecuted. But 
the state makes decisions all the time, in a scarce environment, 
about where resources should be spent. It is entirely within the 
prerogative of the government to decide not to spend money in one 
area so funds can be found to supply another.

Stop prosecuting for marijuana yesterday: there is no benefit to do 
maintaining this farce. Let's put that money to better use now and 
not tomorrow.

Jason Guilford Fairbanks
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom