Pubdate: Sun, 26 Feb 2006
Source: Metrowest Daily News (MA)
Copyright: 2006 MetroWest Daily News
Contact:  http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/619
Author: Robert  Sharpe
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DRUG POLICY FINANCES CRIME

Regarding Rick Holmes' thoughtful column ("40 years of reefer 
madness,"  Feb. 19), there is a big difference between condoning 
marijuana use and protecting children from drugs. Decriminalization 
acknowledges the social  reality of marijuana and frees users from 
the stigma of life-shattering criminal  records.

What's really needed is a regulated market with age  controls. 
Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as 
marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, 
consumers will  continue to come into contact with sellers of hard 
drugs like heroin.

This "gateway" is the direct result of a  fundamentally flawed 
policy. Given that marijuana is arguably safer than legal  alcohol -- 
the plant has never been shown to cause an overdose death -- it 
makes  no sense to waste tax dollars on failed policies that finance 
organized crime  and facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to  children, but I 
like to think the children are more important than the message.

ROBERT SHARPE

MPA policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy,

Arlington, Va.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman