Pubdate: Thu, 09 Aug 2012 Source: Chico News & Review, The (CA) Copyright: 2012 Chico Community Publishing, Inc. Contact: http://www.newsreview.com/chico/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/559 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n374/a10.html MEDI-POT PROS AND CONS Is the Butte County Board of Supervisors on the payroll of Mexican drug cartels? Like it or not, California's medical-marijuana law allows consumers to purchase locally grown marijuana of known quality and safety from dispensaries that generate tax revenue. At least that is what voters intended when they passed Proposition 215. In Butte County, however, medical-marijuana dispensaries have been banned. As long as there is a demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. Is it somehow preferable that consumers purchase untaxed marijuana from Mexican drug cartels that also sell cocaine, meth and heroin? Marijuana prohibition is a gateway-drug policy. Robert Sharpe, MPA Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC - --- MAP posted-by: Matt