Former Brookings Police Lieutenant and D.A.R.E. Officer: Marijuana Measures Make Sense

Joey Collins, former Brookings police lieutenant and D.A.R.E. officer, explains why he is voting Yes on Amendment A and Yes on Measure 26 to legalize medical marijuana and legalize marijuana for adults 21 and over.

The Brookings Register:
Marijuana measures make sense
By Joey Collins
October 28, 2020

“I’ve been watching the debate on the two marijuana reform measures that are on the ballot this year in South Dakota and because I have a fairly unique perspective as a former Brookings police lieutenant, I thought I’d share it. 

When I worked in law enforcement, I did not hesitate to arrest individuals for marijuana violations. Not only because it was my job, but also because I was a D.A.R.E. officer and strongly supported prohibition. In fact, most of the arrests I made as a cop were for marijuana violations, especially when I was a K-9 officer. 

However, my views have changed and I am now a strong supporter of both Amendment A (legal adult-use) and Measure 26 (legal medical-use), and here’s why: prohibition simply does not work, and I know it in a way that most people don’t – I’ve seen it with my own eyes…”

...Read the full letter to the editor at BrookingsRegister.com

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