Pubdate: Tue, 27 Jul 2004
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.canoe.com/NewsStand/TorontoSun/home.html
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Reggie Green
Note: Title by MAP
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n1066/a12.html

RESPONSE TO 'STONED JUDGES'

UNLIKE ROB Hildebrant, I don't feel our government is immoral for
proposing decriminalization of small quantities of cannabis. Cannabis
use is no more immoral than having an alcoholic beverage. What is
immoral is the perpetuation of lies and myths about cannabis that lead
to persecution, criminal records, arrest and incarceration. Stiffer
penalties for drug possession and use do nothing to stop drug use.
Ample evidence can be gathered by examining the United States'
blundering failure of a drug war. If stiffer penalties against
cannabis worked, the U.S. would be cannabis free, yet after 35 years
of hard-line cannabis prohibition, demand and supply remain steady.
Legalization is the only logical answer. Prohibition of cannabis must
be lifted for the same reasons as alcohol prohibition was. The policy
is simply unworkable and prohibition puts too much power in the hands
of organized criminals and dealers that are there to meet the
staggering demand for their product.

Reggie Green

(There's a big difference between decriminalization and legalization
- -- and the Liberals will never go all the way to legalization)
- ---
MAP posted-by: Richard Lake