Pubdate: Mon, 13 Sep 2004
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2004 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Russell Barth
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

SMOKE SHOPS

I have been reading about Da Kine, a coffee shop in Vancouver which has 
been selling cannabis over the counter for more than four months. I think 
it is wonderful, and hope to see shops like these in every city and town in 
Canada.

It can't happen under the Liberals' phoney "decriminalization" bill, though.

The fact that Da Kine can exist in Vancouver, and crime and hard drug 
activities actually decrease in the area, added to the fact that for more 
than 30 years the same thing has been occurring in Amsterdam just proves 
that prohibition is a colossal failure.

Looking at statistics worldwide, it would almost lead one to believe that 
prohibition was specifically designed to increase crime and hard drug 
activity, not deter it.

Of course, continuing to spend billions on failed policies is old news with 
our government. The sponsorship scandal, the gun registry, and prohibition 
are just a few examples of more than a decade of mismanagement.

Russell Barth, Ottawa

(Don't plan on sparking up a legal one just yet. Police raided Da Kine on 
Friday.)
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager