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 - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom