Pubdate: Wed, 12 Oct 2005
Source: News Record, The (U of Cincinnati, OH Edu)
Copyright: 2005 College Publisher and The News Record
Contact:  http://www.newsrecord.org/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3955
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05/n1605/a01.html

MARIJUANA SHOULD BE LEGALIZED

I'm writing about: "Speakers debate pros, cons of legalizing 
marijuana" (10-10-05). Should marijuana be legalized? It seems to me 
that this is the wrong question. The question should be: Should 
marijuana remain unregulated, untaxed and controlled by criminals?

Due to marijuana being illegal, it is only sold by criminals 
(criminals who sell much more dangerous drugs like cocaine and 
methamphetamine). They often offer free samples of more dangerous 
drugs to their marijuana customers ("gateway effect"). In a regulated 
market, this would not happen. Do the readers know of anyone who has 
been offered a free bottle of alcohol when legally buying beer or 
wine? Probably not. If we regulate, control, and tax the sale and 
production of marijuana, we can then close the gateway to hard or 
dangerous drugs.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, AZ
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake