Pubdate: Wed, 10 Nov 1999
Source: Roanoke Times (VA)
Copyright: 1999 Roanoke Times
Contact:  201 W. Campbell Ave., Roanoke, Va. 24010
Website: http://www.roanoke.com/roatimes/index.html
Author: James Solomon
NOTE: Subject line by MAP

A COUPLE of young Roanoke men argued over a $10 bag of marijuana. One
was shot dead. The dead man's friends set fire to the rooming house
where the alleged shooter lived. Seven more people died in the blaze.

How could this incredible tragedy have been prevented?

A $10 bag of illegal marijuana weighs about one-tenth of an ounce. If
the plant were legal, that quantity would have no significant monetary
value. The simple fact is, if marijuana had been legal, those eight
people would still be alive.

James Solomon
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake