Legal Commentary

Aspen Sheriff Candidate Supports Legalization For Personal Use

By Jeralyn

I've endorsed Joe DiSalvo for Pitkin County Sheriff several times over the past six months. Here's one more reason: Di Salvo supports the legalization of drugs for personal use:

DiSalvo, who is currently Pitkin County undersheriff, said he had no interest in whether people in their own homes “fire up a joint or do a line on [their] table.” That means no undercover work would be done by deputies under his command, DiSalvo said, calling the action too expensive and dangerous for law enforcement officers.

“I think adults should be able to do what they want in their own homes and do so safely,” DiSalvo said, adding that that attitude does not apply to children or people getting behind the wheel of automobiles.

Di Salvo shares the views of Aspen's retiring Sheriff (and my personal fave) Bob Braudis: [More...]

Drug use and addiction are health issues, not criminal issues, DiSalvo said, echoing the beliefs of Pitkin County Sheriff Bob Braudis, who is retiring in January after 26 years at the helm of the sheriff’s office. And the best way to address the drug issue in society is legalization, DiSalvo said. It’s a more balanced policy that would end much of the violence surrounding the drug trade, he said.

Di Salvo likely is a shoo-in, but Aspenites still need to vote because Aspen isn't the only town in the County.

In the August primary, he collected 341 votes, or 12.1 percent, which was good enough to earn a right to face DiSalvo in the general election. DiSalvo posted a commanding win in August, claiming 2,186 votes, or 77.3 percent.

On a sidenote, I wonder how DiSalvo will get along with DA Martin Beeson, who I just criticized here.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on October 23, 2010 (boomark / email).