Pubdate: Mon, 6 Dec 2010
Source: Detroit News (MI)
Copyright: 2010 Robert Sharpe
Contact: http://detnews.com/article/99999999/INFO/71011004
Website: http://detnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/126
Author:  Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n977/a07.html

DECRIMINALIZE POT

The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. 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 public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer
marijuana to martinis. The end result of this 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.
Decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right direction.

Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.  
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake