To the editors:
There is a good reason Harvard doesn’t make busting marijuana smokers a priority (“Harvard Rarely Punishes Student Drug Use,”
news, Nov. 14). Most students outgrow their youthful indiscretions
involving illicit drugs. An arrest and criminal record, on the other
hand, can be life shattering. After admitting to smoking pot (but not
inhaling), former President Bill Clinton opened himself up to “soft on
drugs” criticism. While youthful indiscretions didn’t stop Clinton from
assuming leadership positions, an arrest surely would have. The
short-term effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared to the
long-term effects of criminal records.
ROBERT SHARPE
Washington, D.C.
November 15, 2005
The writer is a policy analyst for Common Sense Drug Policy.
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