Pubdate: Sun, 11 Jan 2004
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Patricia Gatenby

WHY NOT TAKE THE FUN OUT OF TRAFFICKING

Years ago it was rum-running, and a still hidden out on the back 40.
Today it is marijuana fields, grow-ops in empty houses, biker gangs
and millions of lost dollars.

The police are unlikely to get the better of it. Why not give in,
legalize it and have the government take over the preparation and sale
of it through specialty shops like the old fashioned cigarette shops?

Is it really any worse than alcohol? Look at the money the government
makes on alcohol; how much it costs to sort of control marijuana in
both growth and distribution, the cost of electricity stolen and ruin
of houses, the policing? I think we are just encouraging people to
become criminals.

Let us change the system and take the fun out of it.

Patricia Gatenby,

Port Alberni.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake