Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Herald News, The (Fall River, MA)
Copyright: 2006 The Herald News
Contact:  http://www.heraldnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3604
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

MARIJUANA MAY BE A ROADBLOCK TO HARD DRUG USE

The next time a drug war cheerleader like Robert Stutman gives a 
speech or participates in a debate, please ask him why he wants 
marijuana to remain completely unregulated, untaxed and controlled by 
criminals.

Only legal products of any kind can be regulated, taxed and 
controlled by any government.

In the Czech Republic, citizens can legally grow and possess small 
quantities of marijuana.  The Czech overall drug arrest rate is 1 per 
100,000 population.  The U. S. overall drug arrest rate is 585 per 
100,000 population.

The Czech robbery rate is 2 per 100,000 population.  The U. S. 
robbery rate is 145.9 per 100,000 population, according to the F. B. I.

According to our drug war cheerleaders, tolerant marijuana laws cause 
people to use other, much more dangerous drugs like meth and heroin.

Obviously, this doesn't happen in the Czech Republic.  Why not?

Could it be that when people can legally obtain marijuana at an 
affordable price, they tend not to use or desire any other recreational drugs?

Could it be that marijuana legalization actually creates a roadblock 
to hard drug use--not a gateway?

Kirk Muse

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman