To the editor:

Re: "Joint venture," 12th & Cambie, Sept. 28.

The vote by B.C. municipal leaders to decriminalize marijuana is 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 spares users criminal records. What's really needed is a regulated market with age controls.

Separating the hard and soft drug markets is critical. The marijuana plant is relatively harmless. Marijuana prohibition is deadly. As long as violent drug cartels control marijuana distribution, consumers of the most popular illicit drug will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs like cocaine, meth and heroin. Marijuana prohibition is a gateway drug policy.

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