Pubdate: Mon, 06 Jan 2013
Source: Washington Post (DC)
Copyright: 2013 The Washington Post Company
Contact: http://mapinc.org/url/mUgeOPdZ
Website: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/491
Author: Brandon Wasicsko
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n010/a05.html

THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF POT'S NEW STATUS

Ruth Marcus argued that our kids will be worse off under a regime of 
legalized marijuana. As a non-user, I vehemently disagree.

Legalizing marijuana might lead to increased use. But keeping it 
illegal doesn't address the underlying factors that lead youth to 
abuse the drug, nor does it keep it out of their hands. Being 
"unreachable" makes marijuana more desirable and being illegal makes 
it less safe.

In her closing, Ms. Marcus called the imprisonment of pot smokers 
"dumb and wasteful." It's much more than that, and it warrants 
stronger condemnation. The war on drugs ruins the lives of our kids 
by throwing them in prison with hardened criminals for the mostly 
nonviolent, victimless "crime" of taking a toke.

The prohibition of alcohol in the 1920s fueled violent gang warfare 
on our streets. Likewise, the prohibition of marijuana and other 
drugs feeds the cartels, which wreak havoc just south of our border.

Bringing this black market into the light by repealing laws against 
the use of marijuana is the moral next step. Then we can address 
issues of abuse through counseling and medicine, not through laws and prisons.

Brandon Wasicsko,

Arlington
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom