CLOSING THE GATEWAY TO HARD DRUGS

Dear Editor, It seems to me that the question as to whether marijuana
should be legalised is the wrong question. It should be: Should
marijuana remain completely unregulated, untaxed and controlled by
criminals?

Because marijuana is now illegal, it is sold only by criminals
(criminals who often sell other, much more dangerous drugs like
cocaine and methamphetamine). And they often offer free samples of the
more dangerous drugs to their marijuana customers. Thus creating the
so-called 'gateway effect'.

In a regulated market, this would not happen. Do the readers know of
anyone who has been offered a free bottle of whiskey, rum or vodka
when legally buying beer or wine? I don't either. If we regulate,
control, and tax the sale and production of marijuana, we close the
gateway to hard drugs.

Kirk Muse,

Mesa, AZ
USA