Pubdate: Wed, 28 Nov 2012
Source: Colorado Springs Independent (CO)
Copyright: 2012 Colorado Springs Independent
Contact:  http://www.csindy.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1536
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n599/a10.html
Page: 6

DRUG WAR FAILURES

The people of Colorado and Washington state are way ahead of the 
politicians in Washington, D.C. ("What's the world coming to?" City 
Sage, Nov. 21).

If the goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize Mexican 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.

Let's hope President Obama does the right thing in his second term 
and brings the change promised in 2008. If his administration won't 
lead long-overdue marijuana law reform, they at least need to get out 
of the way.

The 2008 WHO survey confirming higher rates of use in United States: 
plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050141

Drug stats from the United Nations: unodc.org

Comparative analysis of U.S. vs. Dutch rates of drug use: 
drugwarfacts.org/cms/Netherlands_v_US

- - Robert Sharpe, policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom