Pubdate: Mon, 01 Oct 2012
Source: Regina Leader-Post (CN SN)
Copyright: 2012 The Leader-Post Ltd.
Contact: http://www.leaderpost.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.leaderpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/361
Author: Robert Sharpe

REGULATE MARIJUANA WITH AGE CONTROLS

Re: "Pot resolution sets B.C. on a new path," Sept. 27.

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. As long as 
organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will 
continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs such as 
cocaine, meth and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of 
marijuana prohibition.

Marijuana is safer than legal alcohol. The plant has never been shown 
to cause an overdose death. It makes no sense to waste tax dollars on 
failed marijuana policies that finance organized crime and facilitate 
the use of hard drugs.

Drug-policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like 
to think the children are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom