Pubdate: Wed, 28 Dec 2005
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Copyright: 2005 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Author: Kirk Muse
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v05.n1981.a07.html

POT PROHIBITION CREATES METH ABUSE PROBLEM

I'm writing about your thoughtful editorial "Meth ingredient needs
national limits" (Dec. 19).

I submit that the vast majority of drug users would use only marijuana
if it were available at an affordable price. But it is not available
at an affordable price. During the early 1970s marijuana sold for $10
to $20 an ounce. Now it sells for about $300 an ounce.

Today's price of marijuana is the result of the "prohibition tax,"
which goes to organized criminals -- the government gets nothing.

If a beer drinker cannot get any beer, he switches to another type of
alcoholic beverage. If a marijuana user cannot obtain marijuana at an
affordable price, many switch to other drugs like meth or "ice." And
because marijuana is illegal, it is sold only by criminals --
criminals who often sell other drugs like meth.

And their marijuana suppliers often give out free samples of other
drugs like meth, creating the so-called "gateway effect."

If marijuana were legally available in licensed establishments like
tobacco and alcohol are, our meth problem would be a tiny fraction of
what it is today.

Frequent Hawaii visitor

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin