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: John Galaise
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1994/a07.html?1104

LEGALIZATION OF CANNABIS MAKES SENSE

I'd like to expand on comments by Stephane Bourbonnais ("Letters to the 
Editor," Dec. 27), with which I agreed fully. I would take his suggestions 
a couple of steps further. The legalization of cannabis makes sense on all 
fronts.

The federal government loses millions in revenues it could generate, not 
just by taxing the legal sale of pot, but in the actual manufacturing of 
the product itself. The fortunes made from this viable industry could then 
be injected into our struggling health care system to decongest existing 
hospitals, build new state-of-the-art facilities, and shorten waiting 
periods for life-extending surgeries.

As Mr. Bourbonnais accurately points out, Canadians will consume their 
substance of choice regardless of legality, and have been for decades, and 
in significant quantities, if my university exposure is any indication. Why 
not capitalize on this lucrative market for the greater good?

Law enforcement agencies throughout the country have been largely tolerant 
of personal consumers for a long time, making only sporadic searches and 
arrests, and turning a quasi-blind eye to recreational use. One might 
easily argue that marijuana is already legal here; everywhere but on the books.

Why not follow the Dutch example and put an end to the hypocrisy once and 
for all? Cannabis users are not criminals and have been dying to come out 
of the closet. The government should have taken decisive action on this 
issue a long time ago. The fact that this is still being endlessly debated 
signals only that there are too many old farts in Ottawa who haven't got 
the slightest experience with what it is they're debating and who wouldn't 
know pot from parsley. Keep on the grass.

John Galaise

(Actually, we suspect just about everyone involved in the debate has used 
pot at one time or another -- which may prove your point)
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart