Anti-marijuana laws need relaxation

The time has come to relax our laws on marijuana use and possession.

Admitting one's past use of marijuana is trendy in modern America. It's even a little presidential.

Barack Obama smoked his fair share of cannabis. John Kennedy, Howard Dean and John Kerry all owned up to the dirty deed as well.

But it's more than just politicians. According to a recent article in The New Yorker, 40 million American adults have used pot. That's 40 percent of adults.

Pot use frequents coming-of-age stories, and it's cute as long as you don't get caught.

But what happens when you do? You might as well run someone over with your car because the penalties are so steep.

A first offense for possession in Louisiana yields a $500 fine and/or up to six months in prison. A third time lands an offender in jail for up to 20 years.

University students also lose their financial aid from the state, just like they do for DWI offenses.

LSU Police Department busted seven people for marijuana this past week, and a pair of Miller Hall residents even got creative with their "weed box."

Four of the seven arrested by LSUPD were University students, and now because of a mistake, they will most likely lose their financial aid.

I don't see a pressing need to legalize marijuana, but I think tailoring the laws to reflect the gravity of the offense is due.

It seems awfully harsh for a mistake and a common one, at that.

Former marijuana users include talented people like Obama. Is someone of his caliber worth punishing with such tough laws?

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