Pubdate: Thu, 20 Sep 2012
Source: Southern Illinoisan (Carbondale, IL)
Copyright: 2012 Southern Illinoisan
Contact:  http://www.TheSouthern.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1430
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n431/a10.html

LEGALIZE ORGANIC MARIJUANA

To the Editor:

Regarding your Aug. 30 editorial, the use of so-called synthetic
marijuana is an unintended side-effect of the war on natural
marijuana. Consumers are turning to potentially toxic drugs made in
China and sold as research chemicals before being repackaged as legal
incense. Expanding the drug war will only add to the highest
incarceration rate in the world. Chinese chemists will tweak formulas
to stay one step ahead of the law and two steps ahead of the drug
tests. New versions won't be safer. Misguided efforts to protect
children from drugs are putting children at risk.

A better solution is to legalize organic marijuana. Unlike alcohol,
marijuana has never been shown to cause an overdose death, nor does it
share the addictive properties of tobacco. Taxing and regulating
marijuana would eliminate the demand for synthetic marijuana, provide
consumers with a comparatively safe alternative to alcohol, and close
the gateway to hard drugs by taking marijuana distribution out of the
hands of violent drug cartels. Marijuana may be relatively harmless,
but marijuana prohibition is deadly.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.

Arlington, VA.
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MAP posted-by: Matt