REGULATING MARIJUANA IS ANSWER TO DRUG PROBLEM

Regarding the editorial "Growing haze of confusion around state's pot
law" published June 8: There is a big difference between condoning
marijuana use and protecting children from drugs.

Decriminalization as approved by Massachusetts voters in 2008
acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and frees users from the
stigma of life-shattering criminal records.

What's really needed is a legally 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 United States has higher rates of marijuana use than the
Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available.

We're wasting tax dollars on counterproductive marijuana policies that
finance crime and facilitate hard drug use.

Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like
to think the children are more important than the message.

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.

ROBERT SHARPE