Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Source: Alberni Valley News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Alberni Valley News
Contact:  http://www.albernivalleynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4247
Author: Robert Sharpe
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n500/a09.html

DECRIMINALIZE BC BUD

To the Editor,

Re: Marijuana 'reeferendum' misguided, BC Views, Oct. 10.

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and 
protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization as proposed by 
"Sensible B.C." acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and 
spares users criminal records.

That's a step in the right direction. What's really needed is a 
legally regulated market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as 
organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will come 
into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine, meth and 
heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

Marijuana is less harmful than legal alcohol. The plant has never 
been shown to cause an overdose death. It makes no sense to waste tax 
dollars on failed marijuana policies that finance organized crime and 
facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Taxing and regulating marijuana may send the wrong message to 
children, but I like to think the children are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe,

policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy,

Washington, DC
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom