Pubdate: Sun, 10 Jul 2005
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2005 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author: Robert  Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1021/a02.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DRUG POLICY REFORM NEEDED

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and
protecting children from drugs ("Time for serious talk about pot,"
June 25). Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of
marijuana 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 marijuana distribution  remains in the hands of organized
crime, consumers will continue to come into  contact with sellers of
hard drugs like heroin.

This "gateway" is the direct  result of a fundamentally flawed policy.
Given that  marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol -- the
plant has never been shown  to cause an overdose death -- it makes no
sense to waste tax dollars on failed  policies that finance organized
crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs.

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

Robert  Sharpe Common  Sense for Drug Policy

Washington,  DC
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin