Pubdate: Sat, 10 Oct 2015
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Robert Sharpe
Page: A22

MARIJUANA IS LESS HARMFUL

Rob Breakenridge is absolutely right about science not supporting
Stephen Harper's misinformed views on marijuana. Marijuana prohibition
is dangerous because it finances violent drug cartels, but the
marijuana plant is easily less harmful than legal alcohol or tobacco.

Former U.S. surgeon general C. Everett Koop famously described tobacco
as more addictive than heroin. Thanks to public education, legal
tobacco use has declined dramatically, without any need to arrest
smokers or imprison tobacco farmers.

Mandatory minimum prison sentences, civil asset forfeiture, random
drug testing and racial profiling are not the most cost-effective
means of discouraging unhealthy choices.

Robert Sharpe, Washington, D.C.

Robert Sharpe is a policy analyst with Common Sense for Drug Policy.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt