Pubdate: Sun, 04 Jan 2004
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Scott Russ
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1994/a07.html?1104
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

WHO IS THE VICTIM

RE "LETTERS to the Editor," by Stephane Bourbannais (Dec. 27): I wanted to 
reply to the comment the editor made at the end of the letter. I hear this 
often from people who don't think legalizing cannabis is a good idea.

They say, "Why don't we just legalize murder?" or, as you, said "You could 
say the same thing about almost everything." The difference here is that 
there aren't millions of people in the world fighting to legalize murder or 
other crimes where there is a victim. Cannabis is used by more people than 
any other "illegal" drug.

Those users are being criminally prosecuted, which results in their 
financial and social lives oftentimes being destroyed. How is this helping 
society? I don't think the arguments for legalizing cannabis can be applied 
to other crimes. Exactly who is the victim if I grow, possess or consume 
cannabis in my home? Who is the victim if the cops come knocking on my door?

Scott Russ, Baton Rouge, La.

(But we aren't saying marijuana possession should be criminalized -- we're 
saying a possible cash benefit for government isn't a good reason to 
legalize something)
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager