Pubdate: Wed, 25 Jun 2014
Source: London Free Press (CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 The London Free Press
Contact: http://www.lfpress.com/letters
Website: http://www.lfpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/243
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A7
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n536/a04.html

TORIES' PHILOSOPHY ON WEED ARCHAIC

Regarding Warren Kinsella's column Cheech and Cons: Up in smoke not a 
laughing matter (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 ID 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

Arlington, VA
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