Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jul 2006
Source: Providence Journal, The (RI)
Copyright: 2006 The Providence Journal Company
Contact:  http://www.projo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

LEGALIZED POT WON'T LEAD TO OTHER DRUGS

I'm writing about Bruce Mirken's thoughtful May 25 letter, 
"Pathological on pot." I'd like to add that I've never seen heroin, 
cocaine, or methamphetamine, yet I was offered free samples of these 
and other illegal drugs when I was a marijuana user.

Because marijuana is illegal, it is sold only by criminals (criminals 
who often sell other, much more dangerous drugs, such as cocaine and 
methamphetamine). And they often offer free samples of the more 
dangerous drugs to their marijuana customers, thus creating the 
so-called gateway effect.

In a regulated market, this would not happen. Do readers know of 
anyone who has been offered a free bottle of whiskey, rum, or vodka 
when legally buying beer or wine?

If we regulate, control, and tax the sale and production of 
marijuana, we close the gateway to hard drugs.

KIRK MUSE

Mesa, Ariz.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman