Pubdate: Mon, 07 Feb 2005
Source: Vancouver Courier (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Vancouver Courier
Contact:  http://www.vancourier.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/474
Author: Kirk Tousaw
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

POT PROHIBITION BENEFITS ORGANIZED CRIME

To the editor:

The story on Charlotte, a local Vancouver grower, highlighted one of the 
problems with cannabis prohibition ("Pot business no picnic says former 
grower," Jan. 30).

The move toward increased U.S.-style enforcement has resulted in a decrease 
in mom-and-pop grow-ops and the steady expansion of organized crime. 
Charlotte grew cannabis the right way-safely, cleanly and without stealing 
power. These types of grow operations are becoming less common because of 
prohibition, which forces cultivators into disguising their electricity use 
and cutting corners on safety.

If cannabis were legal and regulated, as it should be, we would take 
organized crime out of the marketplace. This alone is a substantial benefit 
to the province. But ending prohibition could also generate substantial tax 
revenues, while dramatically reducing police, court and prison 
expenditures. Legalization is a win-win scenario. Prohibition has proven to 
be a loser.

Kirk Tousaw,

Campaign Manager,

British Columbia Marijuana Party,

Vancouver 
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MAP posted-by: Beth