Pubdate: Mon, 30 Dec 2013
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2013 Neill Franklin
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Neill Franklin

LEGALIZATION WOULD MAKE IT HARDER FOR TEENS TO GET POT

I was a cop in Maryland for 34 years. I'm the last person who wants to
see teenagers using marijuana or any other drug. But what I learned in
my 34 years is that if you don't want teens to have access to
something, prohibiting that thing is the worst thing you can do
("Harms of marijuana use," Dec. 17). Prohibition just puts it in the
hands of unregulated, unlicensed dealers who sell product of unknown
quality to anyone, which is why teens consistently tell us it's easier
to buy marijuana than to buy alcohol.

If you want to address the problem of underage use, and to ensure
marijuana is safer for everyone, put it in the hands of licensed
sellers accountable to the government. Not only will this cut back on
teen use, it ensures that the profits created go back into our
communities - where they can be used for education, treatment and
prevention problems - rather than into the pockets of the violent
gangs who control the trade on the streets.

Neill Franklin, Silver Spring The writer is executive director of Law
Enforcement Against Prohibition.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D