OBAMA SUPPORTS MEXICAN DRUG CARTELS

Re "Dear President Barack Obama" (Guest Comment, Oct. 13):

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
a good thing. Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.