Pubdate: Sun, 27 May 2012
Source: Express-Times, The (PA)
Copyright: 2012 The Express-Times
Contact: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/sendaletter/
Website: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/expresstimes/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1489
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n289/a04.html

PROHIBITION OF MARIJUANA MAKES IT A 'GATEWAY' DRUG

Regarding your May 23 editorial, 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 prohibition has failed. The U.S. has higher rates of 
marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally 
available. 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 Arlington, Va
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom