KIDS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE MESSAGE

Re: If gambling's good, why not pot? (Chris Foulds, Aug. 11)

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 the stigma of life-shattering 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 organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers
will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like
cocaine and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana
prohibition.

It makes no sense to waste tax dollars on failed drug policies that
finance organized crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs.

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

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.