Pubdate: Wed, 23 Oct 2002
Source: Montreal Gazette (CN QU)
Copyright: 2002 The Gazette, a division of Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/montreal/montrealgazette/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/274
Author: Walter F. Wouk

POT ALREADY DECRIMINALIZED

Regarding your Oct. 19 editorial "Bullying tactics at U.S. border won't 
help": Canadian officials should advise U.S. drug czar John P. Walters to 
gather up his forces and cordon off the state of New York, because in New 
York, marijuana has been decriminalized for many years: the penalty for 
getting caught with a joint is similar to a traffic ticket.

And while they're at it, they are going to need a plan to deal with Alaska, 
California, Colorado, Nebraska, North Carolina, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio and 
Oregon -- states that have also decriminalized marijuana.

The fact is 10 states have decriminalized marijuana with no apparent ill 
affects. Reason dictates that it's a reasonable plan for the U.S. to follow 
Canada's lead.

Walter F. Wouk

Director

The Thomas Paine Project

Cobleskill, N.Y.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens