Pubdate: Fri, 09 Nov 2001
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2001 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1880/a11.html?2058
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALIZE IT

While I applaud your Nov. 8 editorial's support for Canadian Alliance MP 
Keith Martin's recommendation marijuana be decriminalized, I respectfully 
disagree with your contention marijuana should remain a banned substance.

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting 
children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use and 
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's 
really needed is a regulated market with enforceable age controls. Right 
now, kids have an easier time buying pot than beer.

More disturbing is the manner in which marijuana's illegal status exposes 
users to sellers of hard drugs. Marijuana might be relatively harmless 
compared to legal drugs like alcohol - the plant has never been shown to 
cause an overdose death - but marijuana prohibition is quite deadly. 
Illegal marijuana provides the black-market contacts that introduce youth 
to drugs like crack.

As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, 
consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe, Program Officer, the Lindesmith Centre Drug Policy 
Foundation, Washington, D.C.
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