Pubdate: Mon, 23 Nov 2015
Source: Buffalo News (NY)
Copyright: 2015 The Buffalo News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/GXIzebQL
Website: http://www.buffalonews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/61
Author: Dan Hoffman

LEGALIZING DRUGS WOULD ELIMINATE A LOT OF CRIME

It's normal to think of drug legalization as radical. Drug illegality 
has been with us all of our lives, and we all know the harm caused by 
illegal drugs. Realizing one thing, though, demonstrates that the 
need to force this traffic aboveground is absolute.

Alcohol prohibition sought to stem an established market, but drug 
prohibition has been establishing its market, and very effectively.

Together they brought about the first, and next great growth 
opportunities for organized crime. Hoods are here from all over the 
world now to participate, as we fund wars and dictatorships through 
them. As law scrambles to cope with new substances it doesn't yet 
cover, these vanish from corner stores and enter the underground 
flood, in supplies furnished by factories operating openly in China.

What gangsters can't compete with is the open market. Here the drug 
trade becomes exposed to the forces of regulation and taxation, with 
everything else. What needs to be handled in clean, safe clinics can 
be. What needs to be sold behind the counter with a tax stamp will be.

The killers were livid when the first prohibition ended. It's time to 
put the lid on this garbage can, too. Think of dealers looking for jobs.

Dan Hoffman

Buffalo
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom