Pubdate: Sun, 21 Jul 2002
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Wayne Phillips
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk

PROHIBITION OF CANNABIS IS A MISTAKE

Regulation of cannabis remains a superior solution to decriminalization. 
The decriminalization of simple possession of cannabis, in, of and by 
itself, would simply establish a system of ticketing that would rise 
exponentially based on any increased volume of those ticketed. Fines 
ultimately could still lead to incarceration, either because of failure to 
pay or the number of times caught. The decriminalization of simple 
possession of cannabis would not address the multitude of problems inherent 
with prohibition.

Dr. Patrick Smith of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health told the 
Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that: "If we discovered three 
drugs today and they were alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, there isn't an 
expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana be the one that is 
banned based on individual and societal harm." (Doc says pot less harmful 
than booze and tobacco; calls for legalization, June 7, Windsor Star).

If there isn't an expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana 
be the one that is banned based on individual and societal harm, then the 
prohibition of cannabis is a mistake and, as such, creates problems where 
there need not be any. It is this same policy that is the catalyst fuelling 
marijuana grow operations. Government could use more effective means to 
safeguard the public while striking a major victory against those fronting 
"illegal grow operations" by regulating, licencing and/or taxing marijuana 
like alcohol.

Wayne Phillips

(And see our editorial today)
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens