THE DRUG WAR ACTUALLY FUELS CRIME

Wednesday's editorial, "Christie blowing smoke on medical marijuana,"
was quite right. But not only should medical marijuana be made
available to patients in need; adult recreational use should also be
regulated.

Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition have given rise to a
youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers don't ID for age,
but they do recruit minors immune to adult sentences. So much for
protecting the children.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution, either. Attempts to
limit the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only
increase the profitability of drug trafficking. For addictive drugs
such as heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to
greater criminal activity in order to feed desperate habits. The drug
war doesn't fight crime; it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marjuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a
cost-effective alternative to the never-ending drug war. As long as
marijuana distribution is contolled by organized crime, consumers will
continue to come into contact with hard drugs such as methamphetamine,
cocaine and heroin. This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana
prohibition.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington