LEGALIZING MARIJUANA COULD HELP ELIMINATE ILLEGAL HARD DRUG SALES

The hazardous methamphetamine labs mentioned in Will Higgins' Nov. 5 column
are akin to the deadly exploding liquor stills that sprang up during
alcohol Prohibition. Drug policies modeled after Prohibition have given
rise to a youth-oriented black market. Illegal drug dealers don't check
identification cards for age, but they do push highly profitable, addictive
drugs such as meth.

There are middle-ground alternatives to a never-ending drug war. As the
most popular drug, marijuana provides the black market contacts that
introduce consumers to drugs such as meth. As long as marijuana
distribution remains in the hands of organized crime, consumers will
continue to come into contact with pushers of hard drugs.

Given that marijuana is arguably safer than alcohol, taxing and regulating
the sale of marijuana to adults is a cost-effective alternative to the $50
billion drug war.

Robert Sharpe

Program officer, Lindesmith Center

Drug Policy Foundation

Washington D.C.