Pubdate: Thu, 29 May 2003 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Contact: 2003, The Globe and Mail Company Website: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Author: Chris Brads Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LET IT GROW Burnaby, B.C. -- Re Liberals Move To Decriminalize Pot (on-line edition, May 27): How can any public prosecutor stand before a judge with a straight face and argue that, while possession of 15 grams of pot in a plastic bag is not a criminal offence, owning the same amount in plant form is? If simple possession for personal use is not a criminal act, common sense dictates that growing marijuana for personal use should be treated the same way. Isn't it time our government faced reality and treated marijuana the same as other social drugs such as alcohol and tobacco? License producers, regulate content and tax the proceeds, for the public good. That is the only way to take this billion-dollar industry out of the hands of organized crime and ensure the public benefits of self-funded education programs about the health effects of chronic use. Chris Brads - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk