Pubdate: Tue, 21 Dec 2010
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2010 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n1047/a04.html

JUST A LOST CAUSE

The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers ("With billions 
wasted, war on weed is pound foolish," Dec. 19). In 2009, there were 
858,405 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 resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to 
martinis. The result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily 
lower rates of use.

Decriminalization is long overdue. Taxing and regulating marijuana 
would render the drug war obsolete.

Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, D.C.