Pubdate: Fri, 03 Dec 2004
Source: North York Mirror (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 North York Mirror
Contact:  http://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/northy/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2202
Author: Denise Dennis

POT MUST NOT BE SUPPORTED

Re: " Pot use not healthy,' Letters.

The writer suggests that guilt should not be attached to the end-user
of a product, that the user does not play a role in the criminal
element. Really?

Look at the two drugs that are regulated: tobacco and alcohol. The
government profits from the taxes that are attached to the sale of
these products. Does that stop smuggling or other illegal activities
surrounding these products? Not if there is a profit to be realized.

And profit can only be realized if someone is willing to make an
illegal purchase -- in this case of a legal substance.

Illegal activities can hardly be considered harmless since the
undertaking of these activities too often involves harm of person or
property and too often of innocents.

So in the end, the end-user of anything illegal is guilty of
sustaining a culture that promotes violence and disregard for the laws
that are in place. Don't like the laws? In this country you have the
right, and I believe, an obligation to work to improve our laws
through our democratic processes and by extension keep all citizens
safe and secure.

Denise Dennis
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin