Pubdate: Sat, 10 Nov 2012
Source: Dallas Morning News (TX)
Copyright: 2012 The Dallas Morning News, Inc.
Contact: http://www.dallasnews.com/cgi-bin/lettertoed.cgi
Website: http://www.dallasnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/117
Author: Suzanne Wills

ISRAEL'S MARIJUANA LAWS WORK

According to the Sunday story "Israel invests in medical cannabis 
industry - Government encouraging farming, pharmaceutical 
distribution of marijuana," the medical marijuana industry in Israel 
is expanding, investing in research and technology and is supported 
by the government. It produces a product that "is cost-effective and 
dramatically reduces patients' needs for other pain medications, such 
as morphine, that can produce unwanted side effects."

In contrast, another Sunday article, "Extortion, influence fuel drug 
cartel's rise - Despite government effort, Knights Templar have 
infiltrated society," describes the familiar story in Mexico where 
gangs distribute drugs illegally.

The Knights Templar gang monitors the movements of the military and 
police around the clock in Tierra Caliente. The gang's primary 
business is smuggling methamphetamine and marijuana. They extort 
protection money from nearly every legitimate business but also 
"maintain country roads, control the local economy and act as private 
debt collectors for citizens frustrated with the courts."

The Israeli model has produced a civil business culture where law and 
order are respected. In the Mexican (and U.S.) model, the only order 
is dependent on the whim of a drug lord.

Suzanne Wills, Drug Policy Forum of Texas, Dallas 
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom