Pubdate: Fri, 17 Aug 2001
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2001 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Authors: Rae Ellingham, Paul Ward, Peter Webster
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

STIRRING THE POT

If the highest court in the land ever has to vote on the legalization of 
combustible refreshment, the judges should first smoke a joint and then try 
driving home undistracted through the Ottawa rush hour before making their 
decisions.

Rae Ellingham, Roberts Creek, B.C.

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You observe that "the marijuana industry is alive and well in Canada. 
Despite decades of judicial effort to stamp it out, marijuana is perhaps 
more readily available than ever." This is true. Of course, theft is also 
alive and well in Canada, despite judicial efforts to stamp it out. As is 
murder.

Is this a reasonable argument to legalize theft and murder?

If not, then why is it relevant to whether or not marijuana should be 
legalized?

Paul Ward, Kitchener, Ont.

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Re: The editorial, Decriminalizing Pot, Aug. 16. No doubt the 
prohibitionists and politicians who still believe cannabis is a threat to 
society will cite relevant UN treaties as a reason why cannabis cannot be 
legalized or even significantly decriminalized. However, a report for the 
United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention states: "[of 
the three international drug conventions] only the 1988 Convention clearly 
requires parties to establish as criminal offenses under law the 
possession, purchase or cultivation of controlled drugs for the purpose of 
non-medical, personal consumption, unless to do so would be contrary to the 
constitutional principles and basic concepts of their legal systems." It 
would appear that if the Canadian Supreme Court rules that cannabis 
prohibition is unconstitutional, the decision would void all the 
problematic restrictions of the UN treaties in question.

Peter Webster, review editor, International Journal of Drug Policy, France.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager