Pubdate: Tue, 02 Oct 2012
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: Robert Sharpe

LEGALIZATION OF POT CALLED 'STEP IN RIGHT DIRECTION'

To the editor:

The push by B.C. policy makers to decriminalize marijuana is a step in
the right direction.

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 criminal records.

What's really needed is a regulated market with age
controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical.

The marijuana plant is relatively harmless. Marijuana prohibition is
deadly.

As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers
of the most popular illicit drug will come into contact with sellers
of hard drugs like cocaine, meth and heroin.

Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe,

policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy,

Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Matt