Pubdate: Fri, 25 Apr 2014
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2014 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n356/a04.html

TAX AND LEGALIZE POT

Regarding Dave Breakenridge's April 21 column, not only should 
medical marijuana be made available to patients in need, but adult 
recreational use should be regulated. Drug policies modelled after 
alcohol prohibition have given rise to a youth-oriented black market. 
Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age, but they do recruit minors 
immune to adult sentences. 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.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

(The present rules around pot aren't working.)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom