Pubdate: Wed, 12 Oct 2011 Source: San Francisco Chronicle (CA) Copyright: 2011 Hearst Communications Inc. Contact: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/submissions/#1 Website: http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/388 Page: A14 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n619/a01.html Author: Robert Sharpe SUPPLY AND DEMAND Regarding your Oct. 8 editorial "The feds' confusing crackdown," Mexican drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with the Obama administration's crackdown on voter-approved medical-marijuana dispensaries. So much for change and 2008 campaign promises to respect states' rights. So much for jobs. The medical-marijuana industry is one of the few job creators in the current down economy. If Obama succeeds in destroying the domestic medical-marijuana industry, international drug cartels will move in to meet demand and reap the profits. This is basic economics. As long as there is a demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. Replacing domestic growers with organized crime groups that also sell cocaine, meth and heroin is not a good thing. Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy. Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy Arlington, Va. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart