Pubdate: Fri, 01 Jun 2012
Source: East Valley Tribune (AZ)
Copyright: 2012 East Valley Tribune.
Contact: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/opinion/submit_a_letter/
Website: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2708
Author: Robert Sharpe

POT SHOULD ALSO BE OPEN FOR RECREATIONAL USE

Regarding Carolyn Short's May 23 op-ed, not only should medical 
marijuana be made available to patients in need, but adult 
recreational use should be regulated. Drug policies modeled after 
alcohol prohibition have given rise to a youth-oriented black market. 
Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age, but they do recruit minors 
immune to adult sentences.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. Attempts to limit 
the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only 
increase the profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs 
like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to 
increase criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug war 
doesn't fight crime, it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a 
cost-effective alternative to never-ending drug war.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Arlington, Va.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom