TAXING MARIJUANA IS COST-EFFECTIVE WAY TO FIGHT DRUGS

Organized crime is the main beneficiary of Santa Rosa County`s
marijuana eradication campaign. Thanks to the drug war`s distortion of
supply and demand, an easily grown weed is literally worth its weight
in gold.

Taxpayer-funded eradication efforts only make illegal growing more
profitable. Incarcerating pot smokers and citizens responding to the
financial incentives created by drug laws does absolutely nothing to
protect children from drugs. It is easier for kids to buy pot than
beer.

Taxing and regulating marijuana is a cost-effective alternative to
never-ending drug war. Decriminalization acknowledges the reality of
marijuana use and frees users from the life-shattering stigma of
criminal records.

What`s needed is a regulated market with age controls. Separating the
hard and soft drug markets is critical. Marijuana may be relatively
harmless compared to alcohol, but marijuana prohibition is deadly.

As long as marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized
crime, consumers will continue to come into contact with hard drugs
like cocaine. Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to
children, but the children themselves are more important than the message.

ROBERT SHARPE
Program Officer
Drug Policy Alliance
Washington, D.C.