Pubdate: Tue, 13 Jan 2015
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2015 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/send-a-letter/
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Heather Fazio
Note: Heather Fazio is Texas political director of the Marijuana 
Policy Project.

LET'S BE SENSIBLE AND REFORM MARIJUANA POLICY

Finally, a robust and unified effort is under way to reform Texas' 
flawed marijuana prohibition laws.

Advocates, community leaders and organizations from around the state 
and across the political spectrum have formed a broad coalition, 
Texans for Responsible Marijuana Policy, which is urging state 
lawmakers to adopt a more sensible approach to marijuana policy.

Texas voters also appear ready for change. A poll conducted around 
this time last year found more than 3 out of 4 support overhauling 
current state marijuana laws. Most want to see harsh criminal 
penalties removed for simple possession or legal access to medical 
marijuana for people with serious illnesses.

In 2012, there were 72,150 arrests or citations in Texas for 
marijuana-related offenses, of which 97 percent were for possession. 
Meanwhile, nearly 90 percent of all burglaries - including home 
invasions - and 88 percent of all motor vehicle thefts went unsolved 
by law enforcement.

Texans deserve better, and Texas can do better. We can begin by 
enacting marijuana policies that are based on science and evidence 
instead of fear and misinformation.

Marijuana prohibition is a failed government program. It has not 
prevented the widespread availability and use of marijuana, but it 
has derailed the lives of countless Texans. It has also created a 
dangerous underground market, empowered violent cartels and wasted 
limited law enforcement resources.

In Texas, we pride ourselves on being tough on crime, and we should 
be. Protecting citizens and facilitating justice for victims are 
among the most important functions of a limited government. By 
distracting police officers, overburdening prosecutors and 
misemploying correctional facilities to fight an unwinnable war on 
marijuana, we are setting ourselves up to fail.

It is time to replace prohibition with a more just, compassionate and 
efficient marijuana policy. Texans are ready. Hopefully our  elected 
representatives are, too. 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom