Pubdate: Sun, 2 Aug 2009
Source: Tribune Review (Pittsburgh, PA)
Copyright: 2009 Tribune-Review Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/460
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n749/a07.html
Author: Robert Sharpe

MARIJUANA PROHIBITION FAILS II

Regarding the Trib's thoughtful editorial "Stop 'reefer madness':
Legalize marijuana" (July 29 and TribLIVE.com): Unlike alcohol,
marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it
share the addictive properties of tobacco.

Marijuana prohibition has failed miserably as a deterrent. The U.S.
has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands. The only clear
winners in the war on marijuana are drug cartels and shameless
tough-on-drugs politicians who've built careers confusing the drug
war's collateral damage with a relatively harmless plant.

Robert Sharpe

Washington, D.C.

The writer is a policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy, a
nonprofit advocacy organization (csdp.org). 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake