Pubdate: Wed, 29 Aug 2001
Source: USA Today (US)
Copyright: 2001 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc
Contact:  http://www.usatoday.com/news/nfront.htm
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/466
Authors: Robert Sharpe, Kevin Hebert
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1558/a08.html

MARIJUANA OPPONENTS FIGHT LOSING BATTLE

According to the USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll, support for legalizing 
marijuana is at its highest level ever (''Marijuana attains record 
support,'' News, Friday). But opponents of marijuana regulation continue to 
claim that pot leads to harder drugs. This claim is a prime example of how 
unscrupulous profiteers use the drug war's unintended consequences to 
justify its continuation. There is nothing inherent in marijuana that 
compels users to try harder drugs. However, marijuana's black-market status 
puts its distribution in the hands of organized crime. As long as pot 
remains illegal, consumers will continue to come into contact with pushers 
of hard drugs.

Blaming marijuana for the counterproductive nature of marijuana prohibition 
is extremely disingenuous.

Criminalizing consensual vices such as drug use creates a self-fulfilling 
prophecy. With alcohol's prohibition repealed, liquor producers no longer 
gun each other down in drive-by shootings, nor do consumers go blind 
drinking unregulated bathtub gin. The drug war doesn't fight crime; it 
fuels crime. Taxing and regulating marijuana is a cost-effective 
alternative. Separating the hard and soft drug markets and establishing 
enforceable age controls are critical.

Currently, kids have an easier time buying pot than beer. While U.S. 
politicians continue to use the drug war's failure to justify its 
intensification, European countries are embracing ''harm reduction.'' This 
is based on the principle that both drug use and drug prohibition have the 
potential to cause harm. Given the historical precedent of alcohol 
prohibition, ''harm reduction'' should be readily understood by Congress. 
Ironically, fear of appearing ''soft on crime'' compels politicians to 
support a punitive drug policy that ultimately fuels organized crime and 
violence, while failing miserably at protecting children from drugs.

Robert Sharpe, program officer

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation, Washington, D.C.

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NO MORE 'IRRATIONAL FEAR' OF POT

I was not surprised to learn that the legalization of marijuana has 
attained record support in the United States.

As people learn what I see as the truth about marijuana -- that it is 
non-addictive, non-toxic and useful for a variety of medical ailments -- 
the irrational fear of it naturally declines.

As for those who are still opposed to the legalization of marijuana, 
remember, every dollar spent on fighting marijuana is a dollar that is not 
available for fighting real crimes, such as murder, robbery and arson. The 
Marijuana Tax Act was passed in 1937. The prohibition of marijuana is 
reaching retirement age, and retiring these counterproductive laws is the 
only option for a free society to consider.

Kevin M. Hebert

Chicopee, Mass.
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