Pubdate: Thu, 17 Oct 2013
Source: Merritt Herald (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Merritt Herald
Contact:  http://www.merrittherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1446
Author: Robert Sharpe

DECRIMINALIZATION A SENSIBLE POLICY ON POT

Dear Editor,

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and
protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization as proposed by
Sensible BC acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees
users from 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. 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, D.C.
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MAP posted-by: Matt