Pubdate: Thu, 20 Oct 2011
Source: Sacramento News & Review (CA)
Copyright: 2011 Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://newsreview.com/sacto/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/540
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n624/a10.html

STIMULUS FOR THE CARTELS

Re "Feds and meds" by Nick Miller (SN&R Frontlines, October 13):

Mexican drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with the Obama 
administration's crackdown on voter-approved medical-marijuana 
dispensaries. So much for change and 2008 campaign promises to 
respect states' rights. So much for jobs. The medical-marijuana 
industry is one of the few job creators in the current down economy.

If [President Barack] Obama succeeds in destroying the domestic 
medical-marijuana industry, international drug cartels will move in 
to meet demand and reap the profits. This is basic economics. As long 
as there is a demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. Replacing 
domestic growers with organized crime groups that also sell cocaine, 
methamphetamine and heroin is not a good thing. Marijuana prohibition 
is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom