DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA WOULD LEAD TO MANY GOOD THINGS

The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers (Serraglio, Sept.
30). In 2009, there were 858,405 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost
90 percent for simple possession. At a time when state and local
governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, this
country continues to spend enormous public resources criminalizing
Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis.

The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands,
where marijuana is legally available. Decriminalization is a long
overdue step in the right direction. As long as organized crime
controls distribution, marijuana consumers will come into contact with
sellers of hard drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. This
"gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

Robert Sharpe

Policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy