Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jun 2009 Source: Los Angeles Times (CA) Copyright: 2009 Los Angeles Times Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/bc7El3Yo Website: http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n592/a03.html?1340 Author: Eric Rosenfeld HOLES IN A POT ARGUMENT If marijuana legalization is carried out properly, the writer's arguments become irrelevant. A full ban on all advertising for marijuana distributors would prevent the kind of glamorization and commercialism that he rightfully worries about. The types of deterrent programs and methods that he supports could still be employed under legalization. Regulations could be included to allow employers to restrict employees from working under the influence. If done in concert with deterrent programs, legalization could eventually reduce consumption by making the drug less profitable for sellers and less appealing to teenagers as a rebellious, illicit activity. It would certainly take some profit away from street gangs and international cartels. Eric Rosenfeld Pacific Palisades - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake