CURRENT DRUG LAWS ARE A BUST

The hazardous marijuana grow operations mentioned in your Dec. 9 article
are a direct result of marijuana prohibition, not the plant itself.
Legitimate farmers do not grow produce in the basements of rented homes.
Taxing and regulating marijuana, the most popular illicit drug, is a
cost-effective alternative to the failed drug war. There is a big
difference between condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana use and
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records. What's
really needed is a regulated market with enforceable age controls. Right
now kids have an easier time buying pot than beer.

More disturbing is the manner in which marijuana's black market status
exposes users to sellers of hard drugs. Marijuana may be relatively
harmless compared to legal alcohol -- the plant has never been shown to
cause an overdose death -- 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.

Robert Sharpe

Program Officer

The Lindesmith Center-Drug Policy Foundation

Washington

(As we've said before, current drug laws are a bust)