Pubdate: Wed, 11 Nov 2015
Source: Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ)
Copyright: 2015 The Arizona Republic
Contact: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/sendaletter.html
Website: http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/24
Author: Igor Shpudejko

HOMELESSNESS, TRAFFIC DEATHS - THAT'S THE TRADEOFF FOR LEGAL POT

With so much misinformation circulating regarding the legalization of 
pot use by advocacy groups, it was good to see some actual facts 
about the real harmful consequences of condoning the use of marijuana 
by adults and teenagers in Colorado.

The myth that the black market would somehow disappear with 
legalization was quickly put to rest, as "legalization in Colorado 
has created a magnet for it as legality and availability drive sales 
and consumption." Now the entrenched drug cartels have to compete 
with local growers, leading only to increased violence and addiction.

By legalizing an addictive, intoxicating substance you will only 
increase its use among adolescents who see its use by adults as 
confirmation of society's approval.

In spite of any "financial" benefit to the state, a local drug report 
indicates an increase in "homelessness, school suspensions and 
expulsions, and traffic deaths." Is this the kind of tradeoff that 
selfish, self-indulgent, greedy adults are willing to accept?

Igor Shpudejko

Goodyear
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom