Pubdate: Thu, 07 Feb 2002
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Hank Jager
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DON'T DECRIMINALIZE POT

The Record's grounds for decriminalizing marijuana in its Feb.2 editorial, 
were: we should not waste our limited police resources; we should not waste 
our finite supplies of public money; marijuana does no more harm than 
tobacco; and growers routinely receive light sentences in our courts. Did 
not our government declare this a crime? Are we going to decriminalize any 
crime that is so common?

Next thing we know, The Record will use those same grounds mentioned above 
for speeding, stealing, murder. Speeding does no harm -- except the 
occasional death. Stealing does no harm -- except a few inconveniences and 
losses to the owner. Murder does no harm to a person that kills, only to 
the life of the victim. Should we waste our limited resources, finite 
supplies of public money on punishing these crimes? People convicted of 
these crimes routinely receive light sentences. Let's reduce our police 
force and let anarchy reign.

Rules and regulations are for the common good. If it becomes common to 
violate these rules and regulations, why do they exist at all? Is The 
Record ultimately promoting lawlessness, an every-man-for-himself attitude?

Hank Jager, Fergus
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager