Pubdate: Tue, 14 Nov 2006
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2006 East Valley Tribune.
Contact:  http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)

VIOLENCE CAUSED BY WAR ON DRUGS

I'm writing about: "Drug deal in Mesa ends in gunfire" (Nov 1). No 
doubt the police will file this case as a "drug-related crime." 
Actually it's a drug prohibition caused crime.

When is the last time you had a story about a liquor dealer shooting 
his liquor distributor?  Probably about 1933, the year they ended the 
disaster known as Alcohol Prohibition.

Our counterproductive drug prohibition polices give marijuana users, 
sellers and distributors no legal recourse to settle their disputes 
with each other--so they resort to violence, just like alcohol users, 
sellers and distributors did when alcohol was illegal.

Kirk Muse

Mesa
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman