May 6 Letters to the Editor
NJ police made nearly 118,000 arrests for marijuana offenses between 2010- 2014. In 2014 there were almost 25,000 marijuana arrests which is the 2nd highest since 2013. This troubling trend of increased arrests coincides with an increased demand by the community to end marijuana prohibition. Support for legalizing marijuana in NJ has never been higher with 58 percent of NJ residents supporting legalizing marijuana, versus 39 percent opposed, according to a Rutgers University-Eagleton Institute poll. The growing gap between public opinion and public policy is alarming.
Your article showed a photo of police outside The Joint restaurant and Liberty Bell Temple, where police made several arrests. Generally, a cafe or temple would both be welcome additions to any peaceful community. But this location was guarded by about a dozen police in tactical gear with assault weapons while people gathered and watched the operations from across the street. It was a striking illustration of the disconnect between popular opinion and the force of law.
It's not clear how the government's case against Ed "NJ Weedman" Forchion will play out. What is clear is that law enforcement has increased its effort to fight marijuana. This is happening in a very visible way and against popular opinion. New Jersians don't like seeing their friends, family, and neighbors subject to arrest for marijuana. We're tired of spending our tax dollars on it. We're concerned for our fellow citizens and alarmed at the overwhelming force employed to stop people from using this plant. New Jersey supports a better way to deal with marijuana.
Legalize, tax, and regulate it. Stop the arrests, care for the sick, free the prisoners, and end the drug war.
Michael Chazukow
West Milford
The Friends of the West Windsor Library wish to thank the community for its generous support of our Bi-Annual Book Sale by donating and purchasing thousands of books. The sale was a great success!
We also want to thank our volunteers whose constant support make this sale possible and fun to run. Also, thanks to McCaffrey's, Wegman's, and Trader Joe's for their generous support.
Our Bi-Annual Book Sales are the Friends of the Library's main fundraisers. All items sold are donated by the community. Proceeds from the sales are used to sponsor special community events held at the library; fund the library's children's, young adult, and adult programs; expand the library's collection; as well as provide other projects and purchases so that our library can better meet the needs of our community.
The West Windsor Library accepts donations of new and gently used books and audio visual materials during library hours. Please bring your donations to the circulation desk. Tax receipts are available. Please call ahead if you have a large number of donations so that we can accommodate them. Information about the Friends of the Library organization and our donations policy is available on our website: sites.google.com/site/friendsofthewestwindsorlibrary.
Come visit our ongoing book sale located across from the circulation desk. We hope to see you at our next sale in October.
Friends of the West Windsor Library
Princeton
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