Letter: Only criminals being protected

Friday, May 18, 2001 | 10:12 a.m.

What are they smoking at the Legislature?

Sen. Mark James, a Republican, is advocating a moratorium on the death penalty, and supporting the creation of a state marijuana farm. Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, a Democrat, is promoting growing marijuana for personal use, and decriminalizing marijuana possession. Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, a Democrat, said, "Marijuana never hurt anyone." One wonders how they became such experts on the effects of marijuana.

I do know that marijuana kills. As district attorney of Esmeralda County, there were two accidents in our county within a three-month period where the passenger was killed and the driver was under the influence of marijuana. Judgment and motor skills are impaired when under the influence of marijuana.

A moratorium abolishes the death penalty, which is a bad idea. The death penalty is reserved for the perpetrators of the most heinous murders. It is not a punishment that is lightly requested. The state of Nevada should not be more sympathetic to murderers than to crime victims.

Apparently the legislators have lost sight of their duty to protect law-abiding citizens and victims of crimes.

PATTY CAFFERATA, District attorney, Esmeralda County