REGULATE THE POT MARKET

Re "Pot shots at the criminalization of a soft drug" (Alan Shanoff,
Nov. 7): 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. 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

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.

(Buying cigarettes is only allowed if you're over 18, why would
marijuana be different)