Pubdate: Thu, 06 Feb 2014
Source: Times, The (Shreveport, LA)
Copyright: 2014 Robert Sharpe
Contact:  http://www.shreveporttimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1019
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n119/a02.html

U.S. MARIJUANA PROHIBITION HAS BEEN A FAILURE

Re: "Time right for La. to move on marijuana," Feb. 2, 2C

Thank you for making the case for marijuana legalization in your Feb.
2 editorial. 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 marijuana prohibition is to subsidize violent drug
cartels, prohibition is a grand success. The drug war distorts supply
and demand dynamics so that big money grows on little trees. If the
goal is to deter use, marijuana prohibition is a catastrophic failure.

The United States has almost double the rate of marijuana use as the
Netherlands where marijuana is legal. The criminalization of Americans
who prefer marijuana to martinis has no basis in science. The war on
marijuana consumers is a failed cultural inquisition, not an
evidence-based public health campaign.

Not just in Colorado and Washington state but throughout the nation,
it's time to stop the pointless arrests and instead tax legal marijuana.

Robert Sharpe
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D