Pubdate: Fri, 07 Feb 2014
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n109/a03.html

A DRUG POLICY BASED ON EVIDENCE

Re: A smarter, more nuanced drug-policy debate in Davos, Opinion Jan. 28

Regarding Ilona Szabo de Carvalho and Robert Muggah's article, an 
evidence-based drug policy would be a welcome change of pace, 
particularly here in the United States. The U.S. government bears 
primary responsibility for perpetuating global drug war failure and 
Stephen Harper has unfortunately drank the kool aid.

The evidence is crystal clear when it comes to marijuana. 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 U.S. has almost double the rate of marijuana use as the 
Netherlands where marijuana is legal. The criminalization of citizens 
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.

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