LEGALIZING POT WOULD NOT INCREASE ITS USE

Re: Push For Legalized Pot Just Dopey, Brian Hutchinson, Dec. 7.

Columnist Brian Hutchinson makes the common mistake of assuming that
punitive marijuana laws deter use. Consider the experience of
Canada's southern neighbour. Despite criminal penalties, the United
States has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands where
marijuana is legally available.

Mr. Hutchinson also argues that underground markets would remain
under legalization. Nonsense. An easily grown weed like marijuana
would be virtually worthless if legal. Drug cartels could not
possibly compete with legitimate farmers. As it stands, the drug wars
distortion of supply and demand causes big money to be grown on little trees.

Taxing and regulating marijuana would ultimately render the drug war
obsolete. As long as organized crime controls distribution, marijuana
consumers will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like
methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. This gateway is a direct result
of marijuana prohibition.

Robert Sharpe, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.