Pubdate: Thu, 28 Apr 2016
Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (GA)
Copyright: 2016 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Contact:  http://www.ajc.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/28
Author: Bill Torpy

CLARKSTON TAKING THE LEAD ON WEED? IT'S HIGH TIME

Clarkston's effort to decriminalize pot has Gov. Nathan Deal and the
state's chief law enforcement officers tsk-tsking because that's what
governors and chief law enforcement people figure they must do when it
comes to "drugs."

Drugs are bad. Marijuana is a gateway drug. Guys who smoke too much
weed will grow man boobs. You've heard the Reefer Madness excuses before.

But Clarkston's on to something.

Arresting people for possession of small amounts of marijuana - less
than an ounce - is a crime in and of itself. It's an inane use of
government resources and brands people with a big green leafy M, one
that will follow them for years and continually close doors to them.

Clarkston is a different sort of place, a town where I saw three
separate women carrying groceries on their heads during a short visit.
It has became Ground Zero for the refugee resettlement debate in an
era when many Americans have hardened their outlooks on immigration.
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MAP posted-by: Matt