Pubdate: Sat, 11 May 2002
Source: Advance, Barrie, The (CN ON Web)
Copyright: 2002 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing
Contact:  http://www.simcoe.com/sc/barrie/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2192
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n859/a09.html?1190

POT SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

Thank you for raising awareness of marijuana's medicinal properties with 
Kim Goggins' excellent article.

Not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients, but adult 
recreational use should be taxed and regulated. Hazardous marijuana grow 
operations are a result of prohibition, not the plant. Legitimate farmers 
do not steal electricity to grow produce in the basements of rented homes.

As it stands, the drug war distorts market forces such that an easily grown 
weed is literally worth its weight in gold.

Rather than continue to subsidize organized crime, policymakers should 
consider regulating the sale of marijuana. Pot prohibition is far more 
dangerous than pot.

Robert Sharpe, Drug Policy Alliance Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Beth