MARIJUANA PROHIBITION IS GATEWAY DRUG POLICY

Dear Editor,

Mexican drug cartels are no doubt thrilled with the Obama
Administration's crackdown on voter-approved medical marijuana
dispensaries. So much for change and 2008 campaign promises to
respect states' rights. So much for jobs. The medical marijuana
industry is one of the few job creators in the current down economy.

If Obama succeeds in destroying the domestic medical marijuana
industry, international drug cartels will move in to meet demand and
reap the profits. This is basic economics. As long as there is a
demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. Replacing domestic
growers with organized crime groups that also sell cocaine, meth and
heroin is not necessarily a good thing.

Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy. Students who want to
help end marijuana prohibition should contact Students for Sensible
Drug Policy at www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com.

Sincerely, Robert Sharpe, MPA Policy Analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy