Pubdate: Tue, 03 Feb 2004
Source: Liverpool Daily Post (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Liverpool Daily Post
Contact:  http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3205
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n184/a10.html

CONTROLLING DRUG USE

DR RUSSELL Newcombe, of Liverpool John Moores University, has good reason 
to question a cannabis reclassification policy that leaves distribution in 
the hands of dealers who cut the drug with motor oil, dirt, glue, 
turpentine, disinfectant, ketamine, melted-down vinyl and animal faeces.

Home Secretary David Blunkett's reclassification of cannabis is merely a 
step in the right direction.  There is a big difference betw eencondoning 
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's really 
needed is a regulated market with age controls. Separating the hard and 
soft drug markets is critical.

As long as cannabis remains illegal, and is distributed by organised 
criminals,consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard 
drugs like crack cocaine.

Given that cannabis is arguably safer than legal alcohol - the plant has 
never been sho wn to cause an overdose death - it makes no sense to waste 
tax revenue on failed policies that finance organised crime and facilitate 
the use of hard drugs.

Drug law reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think 
the children themselves are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, MPA, Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy,
Washington DC, USA 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake