Pubdate: Thu, 20 Feb 2014
Source: Langley Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Langley Times
Contact:  http://www.langleytimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1230
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n168/a01.html

PROHIBITION - GATEWAY DRUG POLICY

Editor: Regarding Tom Fletcher's Feb. 13 column in The Times, not 
only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in need, 
but adult recreational use should be regulated too.

Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition have given rise to a 
youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age. 
So much for protecting the children.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. Attempts to limit 
the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only 
increase the profitability of drug trafficking.

For addictive drugs like heroin, a spike in street prices leads 
desperate addicts to increase criminal activity to feed desperate 
habits. The drug war doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a 
cost-effective alternative to never-ending drug war failure. As long 
as marijuana distribution is controlled by organized crime, consumers 
will continue to come into contact with hard drugs like 
methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe, policy Analyst,

Common Sense for Drug Policy,

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