Pubdate: Wed, 25 May 2004 Source: Salmon Arm Observer (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Salmon Arm Observer Contact: http://www.saobserver.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1407 Author: Kirk Muse Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n763/a01.html PROHIBITION LEADS TO HARD DRUGS Thanks for publishing Robert Sharpe's outstanding letter: "Marijuana Versus Martinis" in the May 19 edition of the Observer. I'd like to add that the so-called "gateway effect" is caused by the criminalization of marijuana. Because marijuana is criminalized, it is often sold by the same people who also sell other, much more dangerous drugs, and offer free samples to their marijuana customers. This would not happen if marijuana were legal and sold in licensed business establishments. It's time to close the gateway to dangerous drugs by legalizing marijuana. Kirk Muse - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D