GATEWAY DRUG POLICY

Regarding the op-ed by Paul Armentano in the Times-Herald ("Mr.
President, respect the voters' will on pot," Nov. 27): 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.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.