CLOSE THE 'GATEWAY' BY REGULATING MARIJUANA

Not only should medical marijuana be made available to patients in
need, but adult recreational use should be regulated ("Off Schedule,"
Medical MJ, Dec. 8). Drug policies modeled after alcohol prohibition
have given rise to a youth-oriented black market.

Throwing more money at the problem is no solution. Attempts to limit
the supply of illegal drugs while demand remains constant only
increase the profitability of drug-trafficking. For addictive drugs
like heroin, a spike in street prices leads desperate addicts to
increase criminal activity. The drug war doesn't fight crime; it fuels crime.

Taxing and regulating marijuana is a cost-effective alternative to
the never-ending drug war. As long as marijuana distribution is
controlled by organized crime, consumers will continue to come into
contact with hard drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.

Robert Sharpe Policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy