Pubdate: Fri, 16 Aug 2002
Source: Oregonian, The (OR)
Copyright: 2002 The Oregonian
Contact:  http://www.oregonlive.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/324
Authors: Jeff Jarvis and Tracy Johnson

MILLIONS UP IN SMOKE

How ironic to see Damon Stoudamire's marijuana story reported on the front 
page of the Aug. 8 paper next to the articles on Gov. John Kitzhaber's 
budget vetoes. Oregon spends roughly $1 million per annum for every 30 
marijuana prisoners it holds. It spends millions more prosecuting endless 
pot cases in court. For all this sound and fury, we have more marijuana 
smokers than ever before -- and millions of dollars less to spend on public 
schools. What waste!  We are clean-cut, suit-wearing, Republican business 
people. We smoke pot. Oregon is home to tens of thousands of responsible 
pot smokers just like us. Yes, we smoke pot. No, we are not criminals. 
Stoudamire is not a criminal either.

JEFF JARVIS and TRACY JOHNSON Beaverton
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart