Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2011 Robert Sharpe Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n687/a06.html LEGALIZING POT WOULD NOT INCREASE ITS USE Re: Push For Legalized Pot Just Dopey, Brian Hutchinson, Dec. 7. Columnist Brian Hutchinson makes the common mistake of assuming that punitive marijuana laws deter use. Consider the experience of Canada's southern neighbour. Despite criminal penalties, the United States has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands where marijuana is legally available. Mr. Hutchinson also argues that underground markets would remain under legalization. Nonsense. An easily grown weed like marijuana would be virtually worthless if legal. Drug cartels could not possibly compete with legitimate farmers. As it stands, the drug wars distortion of supply and demand causes big money to be grown on little trees. Taxing and regulating marijuana would ultimately render the drug war obsolete. As long as organized crime controls distribution, marijuana consumers will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. This gateway is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom