Pubdate: Wed, 06 Jun 2012
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n299/a05.html

DONE IN BY THE WAR ON DRUGS

Re "Here's a drug connection that everyone ignores," Column, June 3

Steve Lopez blames drug consumers for Mexican cartel violence. Let's 
not forget the role of our federal government.

The illicit drug of choice in the United States is high-quality, 
domestically grown marijuana. Cartel weed is notoriously inferior. By 
using federal resources to shut down nonviolent domestic growers, the 
Obama administration is driving consumers into the hands of violent 
Mexican drug cartels.

Anyone in California who wants a medical marijuana recommendation can 
get one. The recommendation allows consumers to purchase locally 
grown marijuana of known quality and safety from dispensaries that 
generate tax revenue. The Obama administration apparently wants to 
end all domestic marijuana cultivation.

Is it somehow preferable that consumers purchase marijuana from 
Mexican drug cartels that also sell cocaine, meth and heroin?

Robert Sharpe

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