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End marijuana prohibition

Not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in need, but adult recreational use should be regulated. Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition have given rise to a youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers don’t ID for age, but they do recruit minors immune to adult sentences. So much for protecting the children.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. Attempts to limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only increase the profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war doesn’t fight crime, it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a cost-effective alternative to never-ending drug war. As long as marijuana distribution is controlled by organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs like cocaine and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

— Robert Sharpe Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.

Yes to Alkon

In the June 2 edition of the City Pulse, Katelyn Dinkgrave asked if any readers actually write in to say they like Amy Alkon’s column. I do. I enjoy Amy’s writing very much. In fact, it is the first thing I turn to every Wednesday when I get the latest edition of the City Pulse. So, please chalk up one more fan of Amy Alkon.

—Scott Joyner Lansing

More for Schor

I read with disgust the ridiculous attacks on Andy Schor by his opponent. Andy is a hard-working county commissioner. He is 35 years old with a wife and two children. He balances his family time with hundreds of hours that he spends working for his constituents.

Andy voted to eliminate the 2009 pay raise and gave it back in 2010. He also voted for no pay raise in 2011 and 2012. Why is Kenneth Peterson making up that the Democratic commissioners wanted something different? He is dead wrong and is making this up. Why is he lying to the residents on this?

He also criticizes Andy for going to a neighborhood association meeting and leaving early. What he forgets to mention is that Andy left that meeting to attend a county commission meeting and do his job for his constituents. And, Andy has attended neighborhood meetings in his district throughout his tenure. But Peterson wouldn’t know that because he just moved into the district. Another false statement by Peterson.

Finally, how does Peterson know that Andy is moving? That is the biggest lie of all. Andy has served for 8 years and loves Lansing. Does Peterson have a crystal ball? Does he know something that even Andy and his wife don’t know?

I am only 32, so according to him I probably don’t know anything because I am young (which is just insulting). What I do know is that Andy is focused on tax fairness, health care options, and again solving the budget in a fair and equitable way for his constituents and county residents. Peterson is only focused on attacking Andy and lying to voters. That is a terrible way to try to get elected. We need more dedicated public servants like Andy Schor, not fewer.

— Brad Williams Lansing

I’m a bit confused by Kenneth Peterson’s bizarre letter regarding his Trojan Horse candidacy for the 5th District seat on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners.

The facts: Peterson just moved into the district. He is a Republican masquerading as a Democrat. He continuously spreads lies about County Commissioner Andy Schor. Given this, does Peterson really think this will somehow persuade voters in Southeast Lansing to choose him over Schor? Seriously?

Let’s get real. Schor has served this community extremely well, and he does not serve to be targeted by a teabagger like Peterson.

I urge voters in Southeast Lansing to show up to the polls on Aug. 3, request the Democratic ballot and choose to keep Andy Schor as their commissioner.

— Thomas Morgan Vice Chair, Ingham County Young Democrats East Lansing