MARIJUANA PROHIBITION DOESN'T MAKE SENSE

Re: 'Pot regulation makes sense' (Daily News, Nov. 30)

There is a big difference between condoning marijuana use and
protecting children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records.

What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls.
Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as
organized crime controls marijuana distribution, consumers will
continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine
and heroin.

This "gateway" is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Marijuana
is less harmful than alcohol. It makes no sense to waste tax dollars
on failed marijuana policies that finance organized crime and
facilitate hard drug use.

Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like
to think the children are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst Common Sense for Drug Policy Washington, DC