CURRENT DRUG LAWS FAILING OUR CHILDREN

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and
protecting children from drugs ("Marijuana violence," Telegram &
Gazette, Dec. 14). 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, so-called
marijuana-related violence will continue and 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.

Marijuana prohibition has failed. The United States has higher rates
of marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally
available. It makes no sense to waste tax dollars on failed marijuana
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

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.