Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jun 2014
Source: Sudbury Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.thesudburystar.com/letters
Website: http://www.thesudburystar.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/608
Author: Robert Sharpe

MARIJUANA NOT A GATEWAY DRUG

Re: "Cheech and Cons: Up in smoke not a laughing matter, column by
Warren Kinsella - June 23

Is the Conservative Party on the payroll of Mexican drug cartels?
Conservatives would have Canadians believe the job of keeping drugs
out of the hands of children is best left to criminals. Illegal drug
dealers don't ask for identification for age. Right now it's easier
for kids to buy marijuana than beer. Taxing and regulating marijuana
will restrict youth access to drugs, in particular, the really
dangerous ones.

Marijuana legalization will close the gateway to hard drugs by taking
marijuana distribution out of the hands of criminals that sell meth,
cocaine and heroin. The marijuana plant is relatively harmless;
marijuana prohibition is deadly.

Conservatives who call marijuana a gateway drug are shameless. They
are using the collateral damage caused by marijuana prohibition to
justify throwing good money after bad public policy.

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Matt