Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jan 2004
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04/n120/a06.html

DRUG WARS CREATED BY MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Andrew Holota's Jan. 14 op-ed was right on target.

Hazardous marijuana grow operations and the violent grow "rips" they
inspire are a direct result of marijuana prohibition.

Legitimate farmers do not steal electricity to grow produce in the
basements of rented homes.

If legal, growing marijuana would be less profitable then farming
tomatoes. As it stands, the drug war distorts market forces such that
an easily grown weed is literally worth its weight in gold.

Rather than continue to subsidize organized crime and put
neighborhoods at risk of fire, Canadian policy makers should ignore
the reefer madness hysteria of the U.S. government and instead to look
their own Senate for guidance.

In the words of Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, "Scientific evidence
overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful
than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a
social and public health issue."

Robert Sharpe, MPA

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin