"End an Unfair Restriction on College Aid"

I came across this intriguing article by the editorial board of the New York Times called, “End an Unfair Restriction on College Aid”. The student aid restriction grew out of the drug war hysteria in the late 1990s.  Students are denied the right for financial aid because of minor drug offenses.  The Editorial states, "The restriction is unnecessarily punitive." Their viewpoint argues that it is not right to penalize people for such a minor crime. Those who have been convicted already served their crime and dealt with the consequences. Why should they be punished again and withheld from the right to education? I strongly agree with this editorial. The government should not be so biased and judge those with a small criminal offense as being someone who will be unproductive to society. This is holding them back and denying their dreams of having a career. Some areas where the population is wealthy could possibly have more access to drugs than those with economic hardships. Yet, they are able to afford college with the minor infractions on their records. Alcohol is legal everywhere today thanks to the prohibition. Alcohol to some is addictive and can become like a drug when overused. Yet, we don't have restriction of aid to those who indulge in it. Colorado has legalized recreational marijuana and recreational marijuana is legal.  We are in an era where change is happening to our nation in that we are more open minded about marijuana. This restriction only provides another obstacle for people to get a college education.