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The state Legislature needs to help the law enforcement community as it attempts to police drivers under the influence of pot, and the former Republican chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee is OK with releasing inmates who are doing time for simple possession of marijuana.

Those are two of the takeaways from SHERIFF RICK JONES who is running for his old sheriff’s job in Eaton County and appeared on Off the Record this week.

Rick Jones

He acknowledged, as others have, that the new legalized pot law presents some challenges for the cop on the street in that testing for the substance is not the same as asking the driver to blow into a tube.

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Jones, pointed with some optimism, to the Michigan State Police pilot program that tests motorists’ saliva to determine the level of pot in their system. This is where the Legislature comes in. He said lawmakers need to do some serious work with the help of university researchers to figure out the cut-off point for charging someone with operating under the influence just as lawmakers did on setting blood-alcohol standards for drunk driving.

Regarding the release of inmates, Jones draws the line at those who sold the drug. They should finish their sentences, but “we need people to go to work” and a get-out-of-jail card for simple possession would help he explained.

As for his bid for sheriff, Jones said he’s already pledged to work for half the salary, $50,000, and appears eager for the 2020 race.

Source: [SaferMichCoalition] MIRS News: Jones OK with releasing inmates for marijuana possession