Pubdate: Sun, 09 Dec 2001
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n2016/a06.html?8785
Author: Kirk Muse
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

Thank you for publishing Matthew Elrod's outstanding letter about the 
taxation and regulation of cannabis. Only legal products can be taxed and 
regulated.

Criminalizing a product like cannabis only assures that it will be sold by 
the same people that also sell dangerous drugs like heroin and crack cocaine.

The prohibition of cannabis creates the gateway effect.  Not the cannabis 
itself.

The prohibition of alcohol didn't work for the United States and the 
prohibition of cannabis and other recreational drugs is not working now, 
except to provide full employment for those doing the prohibiting.

Kirk Muse

(Our police aren't exactly short of other work anyway) 
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MAP posted-by: Jackl