Pubdate: Fri, 09 Mar 2012
Source: Daily News, The (Newburyport, MA)
Copyright: 2012 Eagle Tribune Publishing Company
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/k3oQxseR
Website: http://www.newburyportnews.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/693
Author: Steven S. Epstein
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n173/a02.html?1275

STATES SHOULD CONTROL SALE OF DRUGS

To the editor: 

I agree with Mr. Cook ("Decriminalizing drugs the only answer, March 
6") that it is "time to decriminalize the possession of small amounts 
of all drugs and to even legalize them completely."

However, the individual states, not the FDA, should determine their
potency and control how they are distributed and sold in each state.

As for taxes, as with alcoholic beverages and tobacco, both the state
and federal authorities may claim a cut, but the combined cut must be
set at a level lower than "taxing the heck out of them" if the evils
of the black market are to disappear.

Steven S. Epstein

Georgetown
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.