Pubdate: Mon, 17 Oct 2005
Source: State Press, The (AZ Edu)
Contact:  http://www.asuwebdevil.com/
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Copyright: 2005 ASU Web Devil
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

BANNING MARIJUANA DOESN'T CONTROL IT

I agree with Laura Graham's thoughtful column "Smoking marijuana not 
worse than drinking" (Oct. 14).

This brings up the question: Should marijuana be legalized?

It seems to me that this is the wrong question. The question should 
be: Should marijuana remain completely unregulated, untaxed and 
controlled by criminals?

Because marijuana is now illegal, it is sold only by criminals -- 
criminals who often sell other, much more dangerous drugs like 
cocaine and methamphetamine. And they often offer free samples of the 
more dangerous drugs to their marijuana customers, thus (creating) 
the so-called "gateway effect."

In a regulated market, this would not happen.

Do the readers know of anyone who has been offered a free bottle of 
whiskey, rum or vodka when legally buying beer or wine?

I don't either.

If we regulate, control and tax the sale and production of marijuana, 
we close the gateway to hard drugs.

- -- Kirk Muse

Mesa, AZ 
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman