Protecting The Children.

[greenbuddha]

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