Pubdate: Wed, 29 Aug 2007
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Russell Barth
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

SUBSIDIZING CRIMINALS

Re "Drug prohibition doesn't work" (Point of View, Aug. 28): Jeremy 
Loome said "there are dozens of studies showing that marijuana is 
physically and mentally bad for you." Actually, there are possibly 
hundreds of studies showing the benefits of using marijuana far 
outweigh the dangers. This well-meaning editorial ends with the 
question: "What are these guys smoking?" Given that prohibition costs 
us about $2 billion a year, deprives us of an additional $3 billion 
in annual tax revenue, subsidizes criminals, increases associated 
crime, endangers the public (especially kids), and suppresses civil 
rights and liberties, a better question would be: "Just which side of 
the law are these guys really on, anyway?"

Russell Barth

Ottawa

(Man, you guys are harshing our mellow)
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman