RE: 'DON'T LET STATE GO UP IN SMOKE'

Regarding David Briceno's March 5 op-ed, 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.

Marijuana prohibition has failed. The US has higher rates of marijuana
use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. It
makes no sense to waste tax dollars on counterproductive marijuana
policies that finance 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, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.