Pubdate: Mon, 07 Apr 2003
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Matthew Hulett
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n474/a05.html

SKY WILL NOT FALL

RE "RULINGS cloud pot law charges: Prof" (March 31): So, you print,
"Criminal charges for possessing small amounts of pot could be put on
hold in provinces across the country ...."

I am sure many zero tolerance zealots are quite upset. But, alas, the
sky will not fall, Chicken Little. Be brave, the wee weed is already
here, it is here to stay, and there is little to nothing you can do
about it beyond attempting to remove the dealers from the situation.

In fact, it appears that the law will become even more unjust in its
application, for now in all probability more Canadians will be charged
with possession under the decriminalization plans of the justice
minister, and the poor who cannot afford the fines will be jailed. The
fines should be proportional to the crime committed: I suggest fining
those so charged a penny or two.

Drugs are easily concealed, and most drug possessors go undetected.
Rational people will take and play those odds any day.

The interesting question is why does a relatively soft drug like
marijuana make some of the most rational people think and act so
stupidly? A very good question, answering that might help end our
current witch hunt.

Matthew Hulett

Brick, N.J.

(Regardless of the law, we're sure the Liberals will find a way to
turn a sensible approach into a total disaster) 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake