Pubdate: Sat, 30 Jan 2010
Source: Maui News, The (HI)
Copyright: 2010 The Maui News
Contact:  http://www.mauinews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2259
Author: Matthew Martin
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n063/a06.html?1224

ALCOHOL IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN MARIJUANA

Regarding the Jan. 22 story "Police chief against relaxing marijuana laws":

I'm sure Chief Gary Yabuta agrees with the objective of reducing harm 
from substance abuse.

The correct question to ask is: What's the best way to reach that goal?

Decades of experience here and abroad show that criminalizing the 
possession and use of marijuana does not accomplish this goal. Anyone 
who has spent time reviewing the published research is well aware 
that marijuana is neither a gateway drug nor is it harmful. However, 
it's true that once youths are exposed to profits from marketing an 
unregulated drug, they're more likely to have contacts with 
criminals. It is prohibition and lack of regulation that causes harm.

The issue is not whether we should add another vice. The issue is 
whether we should regulate marijuana and sanction it as a safer 
alternative to alcohol. We will never stop people from using 
substances to reduce anxiety, relax and have a good time.

Since alcohol is a much more dangerous drug than marijuana (in terms 
of health effects and destructive social impact), we need to ask 
another question: Why are we driving kids to use alcohol rather than marijuana?

Matthew Martin

Wailuku
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart