LEGALIZE MARIJUANA FOR ADULTS

Dear Editor:

Regarding the letter to the editor Regulate 'Gateway' Drug in the
Feb. 15 issue of the Ponoka News.

As the leader of the world's largest organization of police, judges
and other criminal justice professionals who oppose the policy of
drug Prohibition, I'd like to echo letter writer Robert Sharpe.

Having the criminal justice system as the primary arm of public
response to marijuana use is bad policy. The proposed law changes
better mirror the common sense approach we use in response to the
most addictive and dangerous drugs - alcohol, tobacco and pharmaceuticals.

Furthermore, based on our combined decades of experience fighting the
so-called "drug war," the cops and judges of LEAP believe it's time
to legalize marijuana for adults only and move production and
distribution into a licensed and regulated setting. This need is made
more urgent when we know that unregulated dealers to often market
more dangerous and addictive substances like methamphetamine.

"It will 'open the door wide' for teenagers to use marijuana", the
Prohibitionist proclaims. However, the fact is that legal, regulated
drug dealers do not knowingly supply minors. It is only the
uncontrolled street marijuana dealers who actively sell pot or any
other substance to minors.

Legalizing marijuana for adults will not solve all the problems
connected to pot in our society. But it will in fact close the number
one "gateway" to teenage acquisition of risky and addictive drugs.

Jack A. Cole

Executive Director

Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

Medford, MA