Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jun 2004
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2004 Southam Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: Barry Samuels
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v04.n874.a01.html

LEGALIZE POT

Re: Legalize It -- For The Economy's Sake, June 17.

I just returned from a visit to Amsterdam, where possession of five
grams or less of marijuana is legal, and where several dozen coffee
shops that are licensed to sell such quantities thrive. It is smoked
quite openly in the coffee shops, bars and sidewalk cafes.

On the other hand, the sale of hard drugs is totally illegal, and
Dutch government is wise indeed not to put marijuana in the same category.

Is Amsterdam crawling with a bunch of obviously stoned weirdos?
Absolutely not. The Netherlands collects tax on marijuana sales, and
it is high time (no pun intended) that Canada follows its example. The
tax dollars collected could supplement our ailing health care and
education systems.

Everyone should visit any large city in Holland and see for themselves
that there is no downside whatsoever to the legalization and taxation
of this substance.

Barry Samuels

North Vancouver, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin