Pubdate: Wed, 29 May 2002
Source: Chatham This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Bowes Publishers Limited
Contact:  http://www.bowesnet.com/ctw/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/719
Author: Wayne Phillips

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA AND GET RID OF THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT

Dear editor:

Re: Cops want tougher sentences for repeat drug offenders.

Do politicians favour cannabis prohibition because it finances criminals at 
home or terrorists abroad?

It is incomprehensible why a government - who could take effective measures 
to take the profit out of grower operations by either reclassifying 
cannabis or removing it from the CDSA entirely - doesn't.

It is the outlawing of cannabis which empowers the "black market 
entrepreneur" and, by extension, that which creates the potential for 
possible injury or death to occupants and others because of faulty grower 
operation set-ups. Including any property damage to the grow house and 
neighbouring residences.

It is a mistake to think that if the government moves in the direction of a 
reconsidered cannabis initiative it will send out a message that it 
condones cannabis use. Government will simply be recognizing there are more 
responsible, progressive and effective means available that it is prepared 
to initiate in order to better cope with the realities of cannabis usage 
use in contemporary society.

Wayne Phillips

Hamilton
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MAP posted-by: Beth