Pubdate: Fri, 20 Feb 2015
Source: Boston Herald (MA)
Copyright: 2015 The Boston Herald, Inc
Contact:  http://news.bostonherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/53
Note: Prints only very short LTEs.
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n100/a09.html

THE REAL GATEWAY

Julia Purdy worries in her guest op-ed that Massachusetts residents 
will cross over into Vermont to buy marijuana if Vermont regulates 
sales like Colorado ("Pot's just one toke over the line," Feb. 16). 
Doing so would allow marijuana consumers to purchase locally grown 
marijuana of known quality from Vermont retail outlets that generate 
tax revenue. So what's the problem?

As long as there is a demand for marijuana, there will be a supply. 
Marijuana prohibition keeps violent drug cartels in business. When 
drug cartels control marijuana distribution, consumers are exposed to 
illegal cocaine, meth and heroin. This "gateway" 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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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom