Pubdate: Thu, 10 Jul 2014
Source: Battle Creek Enquirer (MI)
Copyright: 2014 Battle Creek Enquirer
Website: http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1359
Author: Robert Sharpe

CAPITOL BEHIND STATES ON MARIJUANA

Regarding your July 8 editorial, the people of Washington state are
way ahead of the politicians in Washington, D.C.

Oregon should follow their lead.

If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug
cartels, prohibition is a grand success.

The drug war distorts supply and demand dynamics so that big money
grows on little trees.

If the goal is to deter use, marijuana prohibition is a catastrophic
failure.

The United States has almost double the rate of marijuana use as the
Netherlands where marijuana is legal.

The criminalization of Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis has
no basis in science.

The war on marijuana consumers is a failed cultural inquisition, not
an evidence-based public health campaign.

Not just in Colorado and Washington but throughout the nation, it's
time to stop the pointless arrests and instead tax legal marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Va.
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MAP posted-by: Matt