Pubdate: Tue, 24 Jun 2014
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2014 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n500/a08.html

GOING TO POT

So-called medical marijuana "abuses" have beneficial side-effects 
("Congress goes to pot," June 9). Anyone in California who wants a 
medical marijuana recommendation can easily get one. The 
recommendation allows marijuana consumers to purchase locally grown 
marijuana of known quality and safety from dispensaries that generate 
tax revenue.

Is it somehow preferable that Massachusetts consumers purchase 
untaxed, unregulated and potentially unsafe marijuana from criminals?

As long as there is a demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. 
This is a fact that anti-drug warriors have never been able to fully 
grasp. Marijuana prohibition keeps violent drug cartels in business. 
When drug cartels control marijuana distribution, consumers are 
exposed to such illegal drugs as cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin. 
This is a direct result of the marijuana plant's illegal status. 
Marijuana may be relatively harmless, but marijuana prohibition is deadly.

Robert Sharpe, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
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