Pubdate: Sun, 12 Jun 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Trevor Macrae
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

EDUCATION WILL REDUCE USE

Some people hear the word "legalization" and automatically think it will 
lead to an increase in pot use.

Any young kid will tell you that it's easier to buy illegal drugs like pot 
than it is to buy the legal drugs: alcohol and tobacco

In Holland, where pot has been decriminalized, marijuana use is lower than 
in the U.S. or Canada.

The key lies in strict regulation and education, especially of youth, about 
the perils of smoking too much pot. It's the same approach that is taken 
towards cigarettes.

Although legalization of pot will put the grow-ops out of business, there 
will still be significant criminal activity related to pot.

Most B.C. bud is shipped to the U.S., and as long as it remains illegal 
south of the border, there will be money to be made.

And don't count on pot becoming legal in the U.S. anytime soon.

The U.S. Supreme Court just outlawed medicinal marijuana.

Go figure.

Trevor Macrae, Coquitlam
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom