Pubdate: Fri, 13 Sep 2002
Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2002 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://www.herald.ns.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Kim Hanna
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1666/a01.html

MISGUIDED EDITORIAL

Dear Editor:

Re: "No pot of gold" (Sept. 6 editorial).

I'm dismayed that you rebuff the Canadian Senate report to legalize 
marijuana so easily.

The Senate spent two solid years studying the marijuana issue and it came 
out with fine recommendations. Your embrace of marijuana decriminalization 
is misguided and here are some reasons.

With decriminalization, the smuggling and illegal sales of marijuana will 
continue, at underground black market prices, possibly feeding "terrorist" 
organizations.

Marijuana and hashish is produced in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Lebanon and 
other nations with radical Muslim groups. There is a strong chance you'll 
be funding these groups and their next terror attack.

With decriminalization, you encourage people to break the law to get their 
marijuana and you create a group of traffickers or growers to supply the 
needs and desires of your citizens for marijuana.

This creates a vast underground of lawbreakers and a disdain for your "rule 
of law."

All unfounded, immoral laws, will be broken, as evidenced by the widespread 
use of marijuana.

The untaxed monies made from illegal marijuana sales will most likely be 
invested into other illegal ventures to avoid the long arm of the tax man.

With the underground market for marijuana still intact, your children will 
still gain access to marijuana. It is only through the elimination of the 
black market that we can hope to keep kids from gaining access to drugs 
before their proper age.

There are many more reasons, but I'd ask you to think about these and 
reconsider your position.

Kim Hanna, Worcester, Mass.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D