Pubdate: Sat, 27 May 2000 Source: Idaho State Journal (ID) Copyright: 2000 Idaho State Journal Contact: PO Box 431, Pocatello ID 83204 Fax: 208-233-8007 Website: http://www.journalnet.com/ Author: Robert Sharpe http://www.drugsense.org/volpics.htm Cited: Students for Sensible Drug Policy: http://www.ssdp.org/ DRUG POLICY FAILURE Re: Your recent methamphetamine editorial. Methamphetamine is the latest synthetic drug to make headlines in Idaho and elsewhere, but it won't be the last. America's drug policy is a complete failure when it comes to protecting children. In fact, current drug policy is a gateway policy. As the most popular illicit drug, marijuana provides the black market connections that introduce pot smokers to hard drugs like methamphetamine. While there is nothing inherent in the marijuana plant that compels users to try deadly drugs, its black market status puts users in contact with criminals who sell them. Just as disturbing is the manner in which children have an easier time purchasing marijuana than beer. While a liquor store will refuse to sell alcohol to a minor to avoid losing its license, a drug dealer will sell to anyone. As long as marijuana remains illegal, the established criminal distribution network will ensure that America's children can sample every new poison concocted by drug pushers. Given that marijuana is increasingly recognized as being safer than alcohol or tobacco - it is impossible to die from a marijuana overdose - - why not end marijuana prohibition? The answer, of course, is culture. The marijuana leaf represents the counterculture to those Americans who would like to turn the clock back to the 1950s. This misguided culture war has gone on long enough. As counterintuitive as it may seem, legalizing marijuana would both limit access and separate the hard and soft drug markets which serve to introduce youth to the truly deadly drugs. Robert Sharpe Students for Sensible Drug Policy George Washington University Washington - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake