Pubdate: Fri, 27 Dec 2013
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013, Sarnia Observer
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n612/a03.html

PROHIBITING MARIJUANA ONLY HELPS THE DRUG PUSHERS

Regarding Greg Van Moorsel's Dec. 20 column

The Tories need to catch up with the 21st century. The days when 
politicians can get away with confusing the drug war's collateral 
damage with a comparatively harmless plant are coming to an end. If 
the goal of marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug 
cartels, prohibition is a grand success. The drug war distorts supply 
and demand dynamics so that big money grows on little trees. If the 
goal is to deter use, marijuana prohibition is a catastrophic failure.

Consider the experience of the former land of the free and current 
record holder in citizens incarcerated. The United States has double 
the rate of marijuana use as the Netherlands where marijuana is 
legal. The criminalization of people who prefer marijuana to martinis 
has no basis in science. The war on marijuana consumers is a failed 
cultural inquisition, not an evidence-based public health campaign. 
It's time to stop the arrests and instead tax legal marijuana.

Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom