greenbuddha Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 US WA: PUB LTE: Decriminalization And Protecting Children Are Get Active Subscribe Support Us URL: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n454/a07.html Newshawk: http://www.drugwarfacts.org Votes: 0 Pubdate: Thu, 13 Sep 2012 Source: Seattle Times (WA) Copyright: 2012 The Seattle Times Company Contact: opinion@seattletimes.com Website: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/409 Author: Robert Sharpe Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n446/a05.html Get on the Initiative 502 Bandwagon, Says the Times DECRIMINALIZATION AND PROTECTING CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs ["Children's Alliance backs pot measure," page one, Sept. 11]. Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's really needed is a fully legal, regulated market with age controls as provided for in Washington Initiative 502. Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like meth and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. 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, policy analyst for Common Sense for Drug Policy, Arlington, Va. MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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