Pubdate: Sat, 11 Sep 2004
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Scott Allan
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n1280.a06.html

READERS THINK THERE ARE WORSE CRIMES THAN SELLING A BIT OF POT

Re: The RCMP's gangster 'hit list,'; and Police raid cafe that sold pot,
arrest six people, Sept. 10

I find it amusing that The Sun placed the RCMP's release of its
"gangster hit list" that profiles the kingpins of organized crime and
the Mounties' desire to take them out on the front page with the
report about Vancouver police officers taking down the "pot cafe."
Inside the paper is a lengthy article that describes the huge value of
pot to both organized crime and our economy.

The RCMP and the VPD are living in a dream world if they think their
tactics are going to work. Black market products exist because they
are in demand. So marijuana will always attract new entrepreneurs no
matter how many times the police arrest their predecessors or how big
the risk. Demand ensures supply.

Stop wasting my tax dollars trying to plug the hole in the crumbling
dam. Legalize marijuana, take it away from organized crime and their
profits will dwindle. Police efforts could then be directed toward
achievable goals.

The growing use of marijuana is also criminalizing the actions of a
large segment of our population, and reducing respect for the rule of
law. Legalization is the only answer; even a report from Canadian
senators came to this conclusion.

Scott Allan

Port Moody
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin