Pubdate: Thu, 22 Nov 2012
Source: Reno News & Review (NV)
Copyright: 2012, Chico Community Publishing, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.newsreview.com/issues/reno/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2524
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n585/a09.html

JUST SAYIN'

Re "NORML man" (15 Minutes, Nov. 15):

The voters of Colorado and Washington state have made it clear that
the federal government can no longer get away with confusing the drug
war's collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant. If the
goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug cartels,
prohibition is a success. The drug war distorts supply and demand
dynamics so that big money grows on little trees.

If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to deter use, prohibition is
a failure. The United States has double the rate of use as the 
Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available.

The criminalization of Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis has
no basis in science. The war on marijuana consumers is a failed
cultural inquisition, not a public health campaign. It's time for
politicians to catch up with the people and end marijuana prohibition.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Matt