Pubdate: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 Source: Cape Times (South Africa) Copyright: 2014 Cape Times Contact: http://www.capetimes.co.za/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2938 Author: Robert Sharpe Page: 8 TAX LEGAL MARIJUANA THE DAYS when politicians can get away with confusing the drug war's tremendous collateral damage with a comparatively harmless plant are coming to an end. If the goal of cannabis prohibition is to subsidise violent drug cartels, prohibition is a success. The drug war distorts supply and demand so that big money grows on little trees. If the goal is deterrence, cannabis prohibition is a clear failure. Consider the experience of the former land of the free and current record-holder in citizens incarcerated. The US has almost double the proportional rate of cannabis use as the Netherlands, where marijuana has been legally available for decades. The global criminalisation of citizens who prefer marijuana to martinis has no basis in science. The war on cannabis consumers is a failed cultural inquisition, not an evidence-based public health campaign. In South Africa and the world over, it's time to stop the pointless arrests and instead tax legal cannabis. Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy analyst: Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington DC - --- MAP posted-by: Matt