Pubdate: Thu, 13 Sep 2012
Source: Fort Collins Coloradoan (CO)
Copyright: 2012 The Fort Collins Coloradoan
Contact: http://www.coloradoan.com/customerservice/contactus.html
Website: http://www.coloradoan.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1580
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n451/a04.html

CONDONING POT USE, PROTECTING CHILDREN DIFFERENT

Regarding Nicholas Lieurance's Sept. 10 op-ed, 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
as provided for by Amendment 64.

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. 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,

Common Sense for Drug Policy,

Washington, D.C.
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