MARIJUANA LAW SHOULD ALLOW RECREATIONAL USE

Regarding the June 15 Times Herald editorial, "Marijuana law needs
adjustment," not only should medical marijuana be made available to
patients in need, but adult recreational use also should 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. 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
increase their criminal activity to feed desperate habits. The drug
war doesn't fight crime; it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a
cost-effective alternative to the never-ending drug war. As long as
marijuana distribution is controlled by organized crime, consumers
will continue to come in contact with hard drugs such as
methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

ROBERT SHARPE

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C., June 16