Pubdate: Thu, 02 Dec 2004 Source: Windsor Star (CN ON) Copyright: The Windsor Star 2004 Contact: http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501 Author: Lino V. Lo Medico Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) DON'T DECRIMINALIZE POT, LEGALIZE IT, THEN TAX IT Re: Change Pot Laws. I think that the government should go one step further. Don't just decriminalize it, legalize and control it. Have it controlled by the LCBO. Do people realize what valuable police resources are wasted on enforcement that clearly is not working? Do you actually realize what a huge cost it is to all of us, not just in Ontario but the entire country? For one, it increased hydro costs to all of us due to the theft in hydro. When a meter is bypassed to prevent detection, we all pay, and also the huge increase in home insurance. When a grow house is busted, it normally needs to be gutted due to mould. What about fires? Not only is the grow house in danger, so are the surrounding neighbours, and who pays for all of this? We all do with increased costs. Let's take it away from the criminals who also use the proceeds to fund other criminal activity, such as trading pot for guns or trading pot for harsher drugs like cocaine or heroin. We all know how easy it is to acquire weapons in the U.S., not just handguns but assault weapons. Is this what we want in our community? If people think that this does not happen, think again. If one looks at the statistics from Amsterdam, drug use declined after legalization. In our society today, it's easier to buy pot than it is to buy cigarettes, so let's take it away from the gangs and dealers. Let's put our valuable police resources to fighting serious crimes. Legalize, control it and tax it. Lino V. Lo Medico, Windsor - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager