Pubdate: Mon, 16 Nov 2015
Source: Beach-Riverdale Mirror (CN ON)
Copyright: 2015 The Beach-Riverdale Mirror
Contact: http://www.insidetoronto.com/services/contactus/letters
Website: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/Beach
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2221
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n647/a03.html

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SAVE THOUSANDS OF LIVES, 
SAYS WASHINGTON, D.C.-BASED POLICY MAKER

To the editor:

Re: 'Talk alone won't solve Toronto's drug problem,' Editorial, Nov. 12.

What things might happen when Toronto residents are granted safe 
access to marijuana? One likely outcome is a dramatic decrease in 
overdose deaths.

Groundbreaking research published in the Journal of the American 
Medical Association shows that U.S. states with open medical 
marijuana access have a 25 per cent lower opioid overdose death rate 
than marijuana prohibition states.

This research finding has huge implications for cities such as 
Toronto that are grappling with prescription narcotic and heroin 
overdose deaths. The phrase "if it saves one life" has been used to 
justify all manner of drug war abuses. Legal marijuana access has the 
potential to save thousands of lives.

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy, Washington, D.C.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom