Joplin police Chief Lane J. Roberts was blunt about his past use of marijuana during a recent interview concerning the launch of the Sensible Sentencing Initiative. The SSI — an initiative petition proposed by the Joplin chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws — would, if passed by Joplin voters in November 2008, decriminalize possession of small amounts of the long-outlawed plant and the paraphernalia used to smoke it.

During the interview, which is attached to this column online, the chief — a self described child of the 1960s with more than 30 years of law-enforcement experience — openly admitted smoking the leafy-green drug a few times when he was a much younger man. Roberts explained that it didn’t take long for him to discover that pot was not his cup of tea.

Roberts said he thought it would be highly unlikely the measure could pass, but, he added, if the citizens of Joplin approved the measure he and his officers would find a way to make the new ordinance work.

The interview with Roberts and two other stories explaining the proposed initiative and previewing the 2007 Cannabis Revival held a week ago in Landreth Park started the Globe’s online comments section smokin’ at joplinglobe.com.

“I feel this is an excellent article and that Joplin police Chief Lane Roberts gave an excellent interview! I am impressed! He definitely seems to have found a balance on this quite complex issue! There is room for everyone to try to meet in the middle and at the very least, agree to disagree!”

— desiderata

‘Chief, wake up!’

“The chief’s job is to enforce the laws, whether or not he agrees with them. If there are people at this event smoking or possessing pot, it’s his job to arrest them, not to turn a blind eye to it. If he can’t do that he should turn his badge in and let someone who believes in law and order take his place.”

— Steve C.

“From what I’ve heard so far from Chief Roberts, he sounds like a policeman with common smarts. Just wondering how long before the powers that be run him off. Sounds as if he may be someone who understands his job is to serve the public, not force his beliefs on others. He may be way too smart for the powers that be to handle. But, on second thought, they may not recognize how smart he is. Let’s hope the latter applies.”

— Farmer Ted

‘Move to Amsterdam!’

“I am a college-educated professional and a former law-enforcement officer. I am a law-abiding, tax-paying registered voter and a parent. I do not smoke weed. However, I would support the decriminalization of marijuana. As a former cop, I would rather the effort and funds used to enforce the current criminal laws prohibiting the use or possession of marijuana be used for the enforcement of other laws against narcotics such as cocaine, meth, heroin and alcohol — yes, alcohol is a drug and a deadly one at that.”

— Objectivity

“Objectivity: For a former police officer, you are very ignorant. Marijuana use does contribute to many social issues. We already have alcohol, so why add another drug to the mix? We may as well legalize cocaine, too? Sorry, but being a former police officer myself, marijuana does contribute to traffic deaths. You state alcohol contributes to most ... so what is the rest? Maybe pot? There is no way I or any NORMAL decent citizen should support this stupid plan.”