SEPARATING POT AND METH MARKETS WOULD PROTECT KIDS

In response to your March 23 editorial, "Meth dangers outweigh illogical
claims," I agree that legalizing methamphetamine won't make it harmless.
There is, however, a strong case for closing the "gateway" to hard drugs by
taxing and regulating the sale of marijuana.

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 marijuana
distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will
continue to come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like meth.

This "gateway" is the result of flawed policy.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than legal alcohol - the plant never
has been shown to cause an overdose death - it makes no sense to waste tax
dollars on failed policies that finance organized crime and facilitate the
use of hard drugs.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington, D.C.