Pubdate: Fri, 12 Nov 2004
Source: North Shore Sunday (Beverly, MA)
Copyright: 2004 Community Newspapers Inc.
Contact:  http://www.northshoresunday.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3465
Author: Kirk Muse

MARIJUANA LETTER ON THE MARK

I'm writing about Jon Holmes' thoughtful letter: "Marijuana Not A
Gateway Drug" (11-04-04). I agree that marijuana itself is not a
gateway drug, however the policy of marijuana criminalization probably
produces a gateway to hard drugs. Because  marijuana is illegal, it is
sold only by criminals. Criminals who may sell  other, much more
dangerous drugs, and who may offer free samples to their  marijuana
customers.

Marijuana  is relatively benign, however marijuana criminalization is
very dangerous. For  the sake of our children, we need to regulate and
control the sale and  production of marijuana so that marijuana is
only sold by licensed business  establishments to adults only.

Only legal  products can be regulated, controlled and taxed by our
government.

Kirk Muse