Pubdate: Tue, 14 Jun 2005
Source: Kingsport Times-News (TN)
Copyright: 2005 Kingsport Publishing Corporation
Contact: 
http://gotricities.net/domains/timesnews.net/lettertoEditor.dna?action=new
Website: http://www.timesnews.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1437
Author: Robert Sharp
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n919/a02.html?80433

MONOPOLY ON MARIJUANA

Regarding your June 8 editorial, what's the real impact of state-level 
medical marijuana laws on interstate commerce? Patients with the option of 
legally obtaining marijuana under a doctor's recommendation don't rely on 
the black market. If the federal government decides to focus federal law 
enforcement resources on busting voter-approved medical marijuana 
suppliers, desperate patients will turn to street dealers for their medicine.

The U.S. Supreme Court effectively confirmed organized crime's monopoly on 
marijuana distribution. International drug cartels are no doubt thrilled 
with the Court's ruling. It's now up to Congress to decide whether or not 
to maintain the status quo. Despite overwhelming public support for medical 
marijuana, many politicians remain fearful of drug policy reform. Far too 
much political capital has been invested in the war on some drugs. 
Tough-on-drugs politicians have built careers on confusing drug 
prohibition's collateral damage with a relatively harmless plant. I can 
only hope the prospect of federal agents arresting cancer and AIDS patients 
inspires Congress to pass compassionate-use legislation.

Reefer madness is a poor excuse for criminalizing healthy citizens who 
prefer marijuana to martinis. There is no excuse for prosecuting sick 
patients desperate to ease their suffering.

Robert Sharp

Arlington, Va.

Editor's note: Mr. Sharpe is policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug 
Policy, www.csdp.org.
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