Pubdate: Fri, 06 Feb 2015
Source: Citizens' Voice, The (Wilkes-Barre, PA)
Copyright: 2015 The Citizens' Voice
Contact:  http://www.citizensvoice.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1334
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n069/a09.html

TAXING, REGULATING MARIJUANA IS A COST-EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE

Regarding your thoughtful Feb. 1 editorial, not only should medical
marijuana be made available to patients in need, but all adult use
should be legal and regulated. Drug policies modeled 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. As long as
marijuana distribution is controlled by organized crime, consumers
will come into contact with hard drugs like methamphetamine and
heroin. Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy

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