Pubdate: Thu, 12 Dec 2013
Source: Texarkana Gazette (TX)
Copyright: 2013 Texarkana Gazette
Contact:  http://www.texarkanagazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/976
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n576/a07.html
Page: 9A

DRUG WAR

TO THE EDITOR:

Regarding Russell McDermott's Dec. 4 column, the drug war is largely a
war on marijuana, by far the most popular illicit drug. If the goal of
marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug cartels,
prohibition is a grand success.

The drug war distorts supply and demand dynamics so that big money
grows on little trees. If the goal is to deter use, marijuana
prohibition is a catastrophic failure. The United States has double
the rate of use as the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally
available.

The criminalization of Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis
has no basis in science. The war on marijuana consumers is a failed
cultural inquisition, not an evidence-based public health campaign.
This country can no longer afford to subsidize the prejudices of culture 
warriors. It's time to stop the arrests and instead tax
legal marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy