POT NEED NOT REMAIN A GATEWAY DRUG

To the Daily:

Great editorial on marijuana reform! The racist history of marijuana
prohibition is a compelling reason for legalization. However,
protecting the children is an even stronger argument. If marijuana had
been legalized in the 1970's there would be no methamphetamine problem
in North America. The crack epidemic of the 80's would have never happened.

Current drug policy is, in effect, a gateway drug policy. While there
is nothing inherent in the marijuana plant that compels users to try
harder drugs, its black market status puts users in contact with
unscrupulous individuals that push hard drugs.

Equally disturbing is the manner in which children have an easier time
purchasing marijuana than beer. While a liquor store will refuse to
sell alcohol to a minor to avoid losing its license, a drug dealer
will sell to anyone with cash. As long as marijuana remains illegal,
the established criminal distribution network will ensure that North
America's children can sample every new poison concocted by drug pushers.

As counterintuitive as it may seem, legalizing marijuana would both
limit access and separate the hard and soft drug markets which serve
to introduce youth to the truly deadly drugs.

Robert Sharpe
Students for Sensible Drug Policy
George Washington University