Pubdate: Tue, 02 Oct 2012
Source: Parksville Qualicum Beach News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Black Press
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/5n7vJzqp
Website: http://drugsense.org/url/zLXtMKI5
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1361
Author: Robert Sharpe

FAILED DRUG POLICY

The vote by B.C. municipal leaders to decriminalize marijuana is a 
step in the right direction. 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 criminal records. What's really needed is a 
regulated market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. The marijuana 
plant is relatively harmless. Marijuana prohibition is deadly. As 
long as drug cartels and biker gangs control marijuana distribution, 
consumers of the most popular illicit drug will come into contact 
with hard drugs like cocaine, meth and heroin.

Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe

Washington, DC
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