I am very tired of seeing people arrested on marijuana-related charges. No, it's not legal here, but the fact that almost every state in the country has had legislation introduced to de-criminalize Marijuana, speaks volumes about it's lack of worthiness as a focus for "DEA" and other law enforcement affiliates. I won't go into the cost of investigation man-hours, and the cost of court proceedings. You get the picture. A giant Money-hole to pour our tax dollars into, at a time when a lot of North Carolinians can't afford to keep a roof over their heads. According to the U.S. Justice Department, a single prisoner costs tax payers on average, between $22,000 and $25,000 a year. That's about how much it would cost for my daughter to attend college,...if I could afford to send her. I'm a non-smoker. This isn't a preferential issue, but it is certainly a personal one. Personal to me, and every other tax-payer in this financially distressed State.
Joan Davis
The Olvis Foundation