Pubdate: Sat, 05 Mar 2005
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: James R. Dubro
Note: Headline by  MAP
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POINTLESS LOOSING OFFICERS IN WAR AGAINST POT

Re: 4 Mounties slain.

No one should die so that someone can smoke a joint. The tragic
killing of four Mounties in Alberta highlights our need to address the
widespread use, cultivation and distribution of pot in our society in
a realistic way. Prohibition is not working.

The new decriminalization bill (awaiting passage in Parliament) does
not even come close to dealing with the problem as it lessens the
penalties for use while increasing penalties for cultivating and
selling marijuana. Organized crime is flourishing in a way that is
reminiscent of the 1920s. But this is not the '20s and we know that
prohibition does not work. There has to be a better way than by
pointlessly losing so many police officers in a largely ineffective
war against pot.

James R. Dubro

Toronto
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin