Pubdate: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 Source: Simcoe Reformer, The (CN ON) Copyright: 2014 Stan White Contact: http://www.simcoereformer.ca/letters Website: http://simcoereformer.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2386 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n035/a01.html Author: Stan White MARIJUANA PROHIBITION LEADS TO HARDER DRUG USE Norfolk Police Services Board chair Peter Hellyer's claim, "It's definitely a conduit to harder drugs when used for recreational purposes" (Legalizing pot use would be tricky issue, Jan. 10, 2014), eludes to the gateway theory, which has been historically discredited and even prohibitionist U.S. government quit using that one years ago. One reason is due to the fact cannabis (marijuana) prohibition actually increases hard drug addiction rates because it puts buyers in situations where they purchase the relatively safe plant from people who may also sell hard drugs. Lies, half-truths and propaganda, which cannabis prohibition is dependent on, further increases hard drug addiction rates when citizens try cannabis, realize it's not nearly as harmful as claimed and think other substances must not be so bad either only to find themselves addicted to hard drugs. Cannabis prohibition is responsible for increased hard drug addiction rates and ending that policy failure will lower those figures. Stan White, Dillon, Colorado - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D