Pubdate: Tue, 30 Oct 2001
Source: Scotsman (UK)
Copyright: The Scotsman Publications Ltd 2001
Contact:  http://www.scotsman.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/406
Authors: Robert Sharpe, Myron Von Hollingsworth

GATEWAY POLICY

There is a big difference between condoning cannabis use, and protecting 
children from drugs. Decriminalisation acknowledges the social reality of 
cannabis use, and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal 
records.

What is needed is a regulated market with age controls. Now, children have 
an easier time buying cannabis than beer.

Although cannabis is relatively harmless compared to most legal drugs, 
cannabis prohibition is deadly. As the most popular illicit drug, it 
provides the black market contacts that introduce youth to addictive drugs 
like heroin. Current drug policy is a gateway policy.

David Blunkett's reclassification of cannabis is a step in the right 
direction. Hopefully, the common sense coming out of Britain will rub off 
on the US.

ROBERT SHARPE

Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC, USA

The (unseen) driving force against medical (or unrestricted adult) 
legalisation of cannabis is the fact that it can't be patented, which 
precludes the need for big business to be involved. That fact makes it 
commercially unattractive to the pharmaceutical, tobacco and alcohol 
industries (lobbies).

MYRON VON HOLLINGSWORTH

Malvey Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
- ---
MAP posted-by: Rebel