Pubdate: Thu, 28 Jun 2012
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2012 Detroit Free Press
Contact: http://www.freep.com/article/99999999/opinion04/50926009
Website: http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Patrick Rausch

LEGALIZATION WON'T HELP

I disagree with Sara Jongeward's position that legalizing marijuana 
is a way to deal with the K2 problem ("Fight the use of deadly K2 by 
legalizing marijuana," June 21). People of all ages have been finding 
ways to get high for a long time -- sniffing glue, inhaling fumes 
from aerosol products, and drinking whatever alcoholic liquid or 
facsimile of which they could find and consume.

This unfortunate habit of humans will not stop with K2. Some other 
man-made product will come into use soon enough.

Jongeward also mentioned in her column the benefits of the 
legalization, regulation and taxation of nicotine and alcohol. 
Regulation of both of these products is lax. An underage individual 
can go into just about any liquor store and buy alcohol or cigarettes.

Taxing these products is poor public economic policy. It makes no 
sense to legalize the purchase of a product and then spend the money 
trying to stop its use and its eventual bad side effects. The 
legalization of two addictive drugs, nicotine and alcohol, is enough.

Patrick Rausch

Canton
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