Pubdate: Thu, 12 Nov 2009
Source: Collegiate Times (VA Tech,  Edu)
Contact:  2009 Collegiate Times
Website: http://www.collegiatetimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/699
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1015/a03.html

This is in response to Mark Goldsein's column, "Anti-Drug War does 
not equal pro-drug," (CT, Nov. 11). The drug war is largely a war on 
marijuana smokers. In 2008, there were 847,863 marijuana arrests in 
the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple possession. At a time when 
state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and 
teachers, this country continues to spend enormous public resources 
criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis.

The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower 
rates of use. The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the 
Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. An admitted former 
pot smoker, President Barack Obama has thus far maintained the 
prohibition status quo rather than pursue change. Would Barack Obama 
be in the White House if he had been convicted of a marijuana offense 
in his youth?

Marijuana decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right 
direction. Taxing and regulating marijuana would render the drug war 
obsolete. As long as marijuana distribution is controlled by 
organized crime, consumers of the most popular illicit drug will come 
into contact with sellers of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin. 
This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war 
otherwise known as the war on some drugs should contact Students for 
Sensible Drug Policy at SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

Robert Sharpe

Policy analyst

Common sense for drug policy
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom