Pubdate: Sat, 18 Feb 2012
Source: Times, The  (Munster IN)
Copyright: 2012 The Munster Times
Contact:  http://www.nwitimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/832
Author: Robert Sharpe

REGULATE MARIJUANA SALES, USE WITH AGE CONTROLS

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and 
protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization acknowledges the 
social reality of marijuana and frees users from the stigma of 
life-shattering criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated 
market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as 
organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will 
continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine 
and heroin.

This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

Marijuana is less harmful than legal alcohol; the plant has never 
been shown to cause an overdose death. It makes no sense to waste tax 
dollars on failed marijuana policies that finance organized crime and 
facilitate the use of hard drugs. Drug policy reform may send the 
wrong message to children, but I like to think the children are more 
important than the message.

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