<img class="size-medium wp-image-1021 alignleft" src="http://carolinacrossroads.news/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/we-support-our-police-300x198.jpg" alt="we-support-our-police" width="300" height="198" />

This series focuses on the role our Police and Sheriff departments play, as we quest for solutions to failing communities, severely depressed economies and a rising tide of violent crime.

Laurinburg Police recently <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a style="color: #0000ff;" href="http://laurinburgexchange.com/news/4543/clerks-charged-with-selling-fake-marijuana" target="_blank">arrested</a></span> several subjects following a month's long investigation into a Vance Street convenience store suspected of selling synthetic marijuana, known as Spice.

Dealing in, selling or promoting illegal substances is never wise. Doing so from a convenience store appears just plain stupid. Any perceived value will now flow directly into the pockets of bail-bondsmen, legal professionals and the prison-industrial complex.

Two suspects appear to be of Middle Eastern origin, which given the current climate, cannot be considered a plus when it comes to garnering sympathy, judicial or otherwise.

How does this story fit into the <strong>Big Picture</strong>?

Albert Einstein defined insanity as: '<em><strong>Doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result'.</strong></em> Change is difficult and disconcerting, but if Laurinburg and Scotland County are to get back on their feet, change is essential.

Was selling marijuana (synthetic or otherwise) from a convenience store simply a 'cutting edge' business proposition? Should suspects be given the 'small business entrepreneur' of the year award?

A growing list of states  now permit the legal cultivation, sale and consumption of marijuana. Even our federal government has decided to look the other way. An overwhelming majority of Americans favor this trend, and<span style="color: #0000ff;"> prominent professionals and prestigious organizations</span> increasingly call for not only the decriminalization of marijuana, but all drugs.

How can Laurinburg and Scotland County stop citizens from leaving? One way would certainly be to not put any more people than needed into the already burgeoning prison system.

Can we successfully attract potential retirees if we're busting potheads while allowing violent crime to spin out of control? Millennials, gen Xers and Baby Boomers all favor decriminalizing marijuana and many other drugs. How long can we afford to push against this wave?

When it comes to fighting crime, Law Enforcement can always be counted on to complain about its lack of resources. Does it make sense to commit scarce man-power, time and money to busting potheads? Can we allow Law Enforcement to wander off in directions that not only won't get us where want to be, but may actually be dragging us further into the abyss? Here's a <span style="color: #0000ff;"><a href="http://henrymakow.com/2016/03/politicians-up-to-their-ears-i.html" target="_blank">snapshot</a></span> of what our nation's 'War on Drugs' is really about. It's not pretty.

With increasingly negative demographics (depressed economic activity, dismal health ranking, poor educational ranking, rising crime, rising taxes and declining property values) this is an issue Laurinburg and Scotland County citizens will sooner or later be forced to confront.

There are no easy answers. Let's choose wisely.

LINK: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/03/24/top-medical-experts-say-we-should-decriminalize-all-drugs-and-maybe-go-even-further/

LINK: http://laurinburgexchange.com/news/4543/clerks-charged-with-selling-fake-marijuana

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