Pubdate: Tue, 06 Apr 2010
Source: Cavalier Daily (U of VA Edu)
Copyright: 2010 The Cavalier Daily, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.cavalierdaily.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/550
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n244/a07.html

HIGHLY WASTEFUL

Regarding Matt Cameron's March 31 column ("Highly liberating"), the
drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. In 2008, there were
847,863 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple
possession. At a time when state and local governments are laying off
police, firefighters and teachers, this country continues to spend
enormous public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana
to martinis.

The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower
rates of use. The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the
Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. An admitted former
pot smoker, President Obama has thus far maintained the prohibition
status quo rather than pursue real change. Would Barack Obama be in
White House right now if he had been convicted of a marijuana offense
in his youth?

Decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right direction.
Taxing and regulating marijuana would render the drug war obsolete. As
long as marijuana distribution is controlled by organized crime,
consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard
drugs like meth and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of
marijuana prohibition.

Students who want to reform marijuana laws should contact Students for
Sensible Drug Policy at www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Common Sense for Drug Policy 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake