Pubdate: Tue, 16 Jan 2007 Source: Burlington Free Press (VT) Copyright: 2007 Burlington Free Press Contact: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/letters.shtml Website: http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/632 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08/n048/a04.html Author: Vaughn A. Carney ANTI-DECRIMINALIZATION ARGUMENTS WEAK John T. Quinn manages to cite every hot-button emotional red-herring in his argument against the decriminalization of marijuana in "Is legalizing marijuana a good idea?" ( Jan. 13). Especially "This-is-really-about-protecting-our children." You could substitute the word "alcohol" for "marijuana" in his piece and make the very same arguments. But do we hear Mr. Quinn arguing for the return of Prohibition? If not, why not? Are a couple of occasional glasses of wine a gateway to raging alcoholism? And his straw-man argument that decriminalization might lead to a major influx of America's "pot heads" (his term) is palpably absurd. Why on earth would they flock to Vermont when they can get it everywhere else in America? First of all, a clear distinction must be made between marijuana and other controlled substances; they are not all the same. Second, regulating the sale of marijuana -- just as is done with alcohol and tobacco -- will amply protect the youths of Vermont. It is past time to take the emotion and hysterics out of this discussion. Too many scarce resources are being wasted, and a common-sense approach is overdue. Simple possession of marijuana has been decriminalized in Canada, Australia, Great Britain, Spain, The Netherlands and numerous other developed countries, and guess what? Life goes on just as before. VAUGHN A. CARNEY, Essex The writer is an attorney. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D