Pubdate: Wed, 19 Oct 2011
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2011 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n626/a04.html

DRUG MADNESS

Re "The medical marijuana mess," Editorial, Oct. 14

Mexican drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with the Obama 
administration's crackdown on voter-approved medical marijuana 
dispensaries. So much for change. So much for jobs.

The medical marijuana industry is one of the few job creators in the 
current down economy. If President Obama succeeds in destroying the 
domestic medical marijuana industry, 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

Washington

The writer is a policy analyst at Common Sense for Drug Policy.
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