Pubdate: Sat, 23 Mar 2013
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2013 The Baltimore Sun Company
Contact:  http://www.baltimoresun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Pat Rogers
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n127/a08.html
Page: 17

LEGAL MARIJUANA COULD REDUCE CRIME

Sen. Robert Zirkin's bill decriminalizing possession of small amounts 
of cannabis is a small step in the right direction for justice, but 
it will do little good for reducing gun crime in Maryland ("Advocates 
for legal marijuana take first steps," March 20). Only legalization 
can do that.

The United States' nearly $150 billion-a-year black market drug 
economy creates such a huge demand for illegal guns that it is a 
subsidy for the cheap proliferation of firearms to all would-be 
criminals seeking to escalate their criminality with cop-killing deadly force.

Marijuana, as an illegal drug, is estimated to be worth more than 60 
percent of the U.S. drug black market. A demand requiring an endless 
supply of guns. If legal, that marijuana demand would be under the 
regulated control of responsible adult supervision for the first time 
in American history. Responsible adult supervision that would not 
require guns and gangs to enforce its market control.

Pat Rogers, Allentown, Pa.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom