Pubdate: Fri, 15 Feb 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 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n237/a06.html?1210 Author: Keith Sanders Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) PROHIBITION UPS PRICE OF POT Your Feb. 12 article "Mailbox leads cops to pot luck" mentioned a "million-dollar marijuana plantation" discovered by police in Vercheres. Sounds like a big deal. But how much would the marijuana be worth if it weren't for the ongoing war against drugs? Does anyone really believe that this easy-to-grow weed would be worth more than its weight in gold? Since we don't allow legitimate, regulated business people to participate in the lucrative market in recreational drugs, the high prices imposed by prohibition provide a lovely business opportunity for organized criminals (remember Al Capone in the days of alcohol prohibition?). Keith Sanders, Oakland, Calif. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl