Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jul 2013
Source: Daily American (Somerset, PA)
Copyright: 2013 The Daily American
Contact:  http://www.dailyamerican.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4055
Author: Robert Sharpe

LEGALIZE, TAX MARIJUANA

The days when our federal government can get away with confusing the 
drug war's collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant are 
coming to an end. If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to 
subsidize drug cartels, prohibition is a success. The drug war 
distorts supply and demand dynamics so that big money grows on little 
trees. If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to deter use, 
prohibition is a 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.

It's time to stop the pointless arrests and instead tax legal marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom