LAW IS A GATEWAY - TO PROTECTING KIDS

RE SAM Allis's Jan. 4 column "Smoky subject": Question 2 was merely a
step in the right direction. There is a big difference between
condoning marijuana use and protecting children from drugs.

Decriminalization acknowledges the social reality of marijuana and
frees users from the stigma of life-shattering criminal records.
What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. As long as
marijuana distribution remains in the hands of organized crime,
consumers will continue to come into contact with sellers of hard
drugs, such as heroin. This gateway is the direct result of a flawed
policy.

Given that marijuana may be safer than legal alcohol, it makes no
sense to waste tax dollars on failed policies that finance organized
crime and facilitate the use of hard drugs.

Drug policy reform may send the wrong message to children, but I like
to think the children are more important than the message.

Robert Sharpe

Policy analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy

Washington