Pubdate: Thu, 26 Jun 2014
Source: Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, CN ON)
Copyright: 2014 Cornwall Standard Freeholder
Contact: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/letters
Website: http://www.standard-freeholder.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1169
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A6

DOPE NOT A GATEWAY

Regarding Warren Kinsella's June 23 column ("Cheech and Cons..."), 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, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom