Pubdate: Wed, 29 Jun 2005
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author:  Robert Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth)

DRUG POLICY REFORM NEEDED

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

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of  marijuana and 
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. 
What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls. 
Separating  the hard and soft drug markets is critical.

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

This "gateway" is the direct  result of a fundamentally flawed 
policy. Given that  marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol -- 
the plant has never been shown  to cause an overdose death -- it 
makes no sense to waste tax dollars on failed  policies that finance 
organized crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Drug  policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I 
like to think the  children are more important than the message.

There is a big  difference between condoning marijuana use and 
protecting children from drugs.  Decriminalization acknowledges the 
social reality of marijuana and frees users  from the stigma of 
life-shattering criminal records.

What's really needed is a  regulated market with age controls.

Separating  the hard and soft drug markets is critical.

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

This "gateway" is the direct  result of a fundamentally flawed 
policy. Given that  marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol -- 
the plant has never been shown  to cause an overdose death -- it 
makes no sense to waste tax dollars on failed  policies that finance 
organized crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Drug  policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I 
like to think the  children are more important than the message.

ROBERT SHARPE, MPA

Policy  Analyst

Common  Sense for Drug Policy

Washington,  DC
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MAP posted-by: Beth