The editorial Sept. 10 on marijuana stealing makes light of a tragedy waiting to happen. The way we manage substance use in this country has made ripping off a neighbor’s pot plants seem like the thing to do, while stealing tomatoes from a garden would be unheard of.

The fact that some young people steal it back from the police who have, in fact, stolen it legally from the gardens of rural Mainers, is not a good thing to make light of. Eventually, someone is going to get hurt in that process.

Yes, marijuana is more expensive than milk or gasoline, which are also rising in cost every time the dealers of those products can squeeze another dime out of our pockets. But because it is illegal to grow marijuana, it is fair game to steal. What do you think that is doing to the psyche of the kids who aren’t allowed to grow it but are allowed to steal it? What do you think it is doing to the relationships that our communities depend on to maintain safety?

The U.S. has 5 percent of the world’s population and consumes 25 percent of the world production of marijuana, which happens to be about 40,000 metric tons. At $80 an ounce or so, it’s a wonder more police officials haven’t had their evidence re-stolen.

But, as the editorial pointed out, the ones stealing it from evidence lockers must not be the ones smoking it.

James Tierney, Auburn



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