Pubdate: Wed, 11 Jun 2003
Source: Mississauga News (CN ON)
Copyright: The Mississauga News 2003
Contact:  http://www.mississauganews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268
Author: Chris Hagglund
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n862/a05.html

REGULATE BUSINESS 

Dear Editor:

I would like to comment on your June 4 story, "Top Cop Blows off Lax Pot
Laws", where Peel Regional Police Chief Noel Catney is quoted opposing the
marijuana decriminalization legislation.

Everyone should be opposed to this change in the law because it does not
address the underlying issues surrounding the drawbacks of marijuana
prohibition.

Right now we've got dealers selling pot and God knows what else to our kids,
and crime groups producing the marijuana with stolen hydro in our
neighbourhoods. This situation has got to stop, and the only effective way
of doing so is by regulating the marijuana business.

I would much prefer to buy marijuana from a licensed retailer who will sell
me a product that has passed a quality control regime and was grown on a
properly equipped farm. Sadly, the way things are right now, all adults are
forced to buy pot from the same jerk who is selling it to our kids when our
backs are turned, and with no quality controls on the product which was
likely produced with stolen hydro in that house down the road with the
windows boarded up that no-one ever seems to come out of.

Its time to start regulating the business right now.

Chris Hagglund

Burlington