Pubdate: Tue, 11 Feb 2014
Source: Delaware County Daily Times (PA)
Copyright: 2014 Eric Hafner
Contact:  http://www.delcotimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1284
Author: Eric Hafner

IN N.J., TIME TO LEGALIZE, REGULATE MARIJUANA FOR ADULTS

To the Times: Like most of the U.S., New Jersey is in strong need of
drug law reform and state Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, is taking
the right step by introducing legislation to legalize marijuana for
adults over 21 in the Garden State. This bill in New Jersey is
indicative of what is happening in states across America.

I understand 21 may be an appealing number for a legal recreational
marijuana age, being the same legal age as alcohol in all the U.S.
states. But the fact is the 21 drinking age has been a major failure
of U.S. social policy that has served only to complicate the lives of
citizens we otherwise consider to be responsible adults. The drinking
age should be set no higher than 16 years of age to remove the
"forbidden-fruit" aspect and encourage responsible consumption from
the start.

It is time for a total overhaul of international drug policy. Not only
should marijuana be legalized, but other non-addictive substances such
as psyclobin mushrooms, MDMA (ecstasy/molly), LSD and ketamine should
be made legal for all persons at least 16 years of age.

By legalizing non-addictive substances and bringing everyone
(including young adults) out of the black market and into a
controlled, legal, regulated and taxed system of psychoactive
substance sales, the availability of and demand for addictive
substances such as heroin will significantly diminish.

"Just say no" hasn't worked. Replace drug prohibition with drug
regulation.

ERIC HAFNER Toms River, N.J. 
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