Pubdate: Wed, 26 Sep 2012 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 The Vancouver Sun Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n465/a09.html MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION DEBATE CREATES BUZZ Re: Fix B. C.' s ' drug problem' by legalizing marijuana, Opinion, Sept. 21 There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees users from the stigma of life shattering criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls as provided for by BC's Sensible Policing Act. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. The marijuana plant is relatively harmless; marijuana prohibition is deadly. As long as drug cartels control marijuana distribution, consumers will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine, meth and heroin. Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy. Robert Sharpe Common Sense for Drug Policy - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom