Pubdate: Sat, 01 Dec 2001 Source: Springfield News-Leader (MO) Copyright: 2001 The Springfield News-Leader Contact: http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1129 Author: Robert Sharpe Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?155 (Lindesmith Center) POLICIES SPAWN BLACK MARKET The methamphetamine lab explosion that injured two Springfield men this week is reminiscent of the deadly exploding liquor stills that sprung up throughout the nation during alcohol prohibition. 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 push highly profitable addictive drugs like meth. Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a cost-effective alternative to the $50 billion drug war. There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated market with enforceable age controls. Right now kids have an easier time buying pot than beer. More disturbing is the manner in which marijuana's black-market status exposes users to sellers of hard drugs. Marijuana may be relatively harmless compared with legal alcohol - the plant has never been shown to cause an overdose death - but marijuana prohibition is deadly. As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs like meth. Robert Sharpe program officer, Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation Washington, D.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh