Pubdate: Sun, 03 Dec 2000
Source: Denver Rocky Mountain News (CO)
Copyright: 2000 Denver Publishing Co.
Contact:  400 W. Colfax, Denver, CO 80204
Website: http://www.denver-rmn.com/
Author: Robert Sharpe

MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IS A DEADLY APPROACH

Regarding the Nov. 26 article on medical marijuana: This plant has been 
used medicinally and recreationally for thousands of years. Marijuana is 
one of the most studied plants around. In 1999, a federally commissioned 
Institute of Medicine report concluded that there are limited circumstances 
in which smoking marijuana for medical uses is recommended. Not only should 
medical marijuana be made available to patients in need, but adult 
recreational use should be regulated as well. The reason for this is 
simple: leaving the distribution of popular recreational drugs in the hands 
of organized crime puts children at great risk.

Marijuana is the most popular illicit drug, and compared to legal drugs 
like alcohol and tobacco, it is relatively harmless. Yet marijuana 
prohibition is deadly. While there is nothing inherent in marijuana that 
compels users to try harder drugs, its black market status puts users in 
contact with criminals who push them. As counterintuitive as it may seem, 
replacing marijuana prohibition with regulation would do a better job 
protecting children from drugs than the failed drug war.

As for medical marijuana, doctors should decide what is best for their 
patients, not politicians, drug warriors or government bureaucrats.

Robert Sharpe, Program Officer

The Lindesmith Center-- Drug Policy Foundation

Washington, D.C.
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