Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jul 2015
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Arlene Greife
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n354/a11.html

A FELONY POT CHARGE CAN RUIN YOUNG PERSON'S FUTURE

Lisa James, the chair of Just Vote No Arizona, told us in her My Turn 
piece Monday that recreational pot is bad because her brother, a 
lifelong addict, started with pot.

She believes that is why he went on to use truly horrible drugs like 
meth, bath salts and crack.

She mentioned that his first arrest was at age17. I have to wonder 
whether that arrest was a felony charge, leaving a 17-year-old with 
the helpless, hopeless feeling that comes with knowing that for the 
rest of his life, he will have to check "yes" on the felony-arrest 
question on job applications.

That is why recreational pot needs to be legal. The way we throw 
people's lives in the crapper in pursuit of zero tolerance is a 
tragedy and a travesty.

His addictions are life destroying, but so is labeling casual 
pot-users felons. I am so lucky I wasn't arrested as a teen; my 
25-year career as an RN would probably not have been possible.

Come on, Lisa James, get real about the roots of your brother's 
problems, whatever they may be, and leave the casual pot users alone.

- - Arlene Greife

Gilbert
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom