Pubdate: Fri, 05 Oct 2012
Source: Daily Camera (Boulder, CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Daily Camera.
Contact:  http://www.dailycamera.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/103
Author: Robert Sharpe

CRACKDOWN ON MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES BENEFITS DRUG CARTELS

Mexican drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with the Obama 
Administration's crackdown on voter-approved medical marijuana 
dispensaries. So much for change and 2008 campaign promises to 
respect states' rights. So much for jobs. The medical marijuana 
industry is one of the few job creators in the current down economy.

If Obama succeeds in destroying the domestic medical marijuana 
industry, international drug cartels will move in to meet demand and 
reap the profits. This is basic economics. As long as there is a 
demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. Replacing domestic 
growers with organized crime groups that also sell cocaine, meth and 
heroin is not necessarily a good thing. Marijuana prohibition is a 
gateway drug policy.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom