Pubdate: Mon, 14 Jan 2013
Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PA)
Copyright: 2013 PG Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/pm4R4dI4
Website: http://www.post-gazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/341
Author: Robert Steffes
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n018/a05.html

PROHIBITION IS NOT THE WAY TO CONTROL USE OF MARIJUANA

Sen. Daylin Leach has laid out a very strong argument for responsible 
regulation of cannabis ("Legalize Marijuana: We're Locking Up 
Pennsylvanians at Great Cost for No Reason," Jan. 9 Perspectives). I 
would add a couple ideas on how that could work.

Prohibition has proved the opposite of control. If you want to keep 
cannabis away from your kids - and you should - you will want 
government agents checking IDs at point of purchase. We have that 
mechanism already with the state store system, assuming Gov. Tom 
Corbett doesn't give that away, too. Sales controlled by the 
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board could ensure no advertising or 
other promotion of the drug, as well as quality control of the product.

Worried that legalization would "send the wrong message" that 
consumption of this intoxicant would now be "OK"? Remember that use 
of tobacco, an extremely addictive substance, has been cut in half 
through public health campaigns that did not arrest a single smoker.

The heavy taxes collected directly by the state would provide funding 
for effective programs that would discourage use by minors, something 
the criminal justice system and laughably false propaganda have 
utterly failed to do.

ROBERT STEFFES

Aliquippa
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