Legalization Is Also About Saving Our Kids.

[greenbuddha]

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URL: http://www.mapinc.or...1/n225/a02.html

Newshawk: http://www.virginianorml.org

Votes: 0

Pubdate: Tue, 5 Apr 2011

Source: Seattle Times (WA)

Copyright: 2011 The Seattle Times Company

Contact:male2('opinion','seattletimes.com'); opinion@seattletimes.com

Website: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/

Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409

Author: Robert Sharpe

Referenced: http://www.mapinc.or...1/n220/a05.html

 

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION NOT JUST FOR GENERATING REVENUE

 

Children Are More Important

 

Regarding Danny Westneat's April 3 column, marijuana legalization is not just about generating revenue ["A bad bet: State funds from sin," NWSunday, April 3]. 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 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 criminals control marijuana distribution, consumers will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine and heroin.

 

This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Marijuana-law reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like to think the children are more important than the message.

 

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C

MAP posted-by: Richard Lake