Pubdate: Tue, 30 Jan 2007
Source: Ladysmith Chronicle (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 BC Newspaper Group & New Media
Contact:  http://www.ladysmithchronicle.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1279
Author: Genevre Poirier, Chronicle Editor
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

KNOCK THE LAW NOT THE COPS FOR MAKING POT ILLEGAL

What was James Breau thinking when he decided to run the Mid Island 
Compassion Club and distribute marijuana without a proper licence? 
Did he think the police wouldn't find out that he was supplying 85 
people with highly priced weed?

Despite the fact that a 2006 Maclean's Magazine poll concluded 93 per 
cent of Canadians support the legal use of marijuana for medical 
purposes, it's still illegal to distribute the drug without a licence.

Ladysmith resident Mark Russell recently knocked the police for 
busting Breau, saying the police have now cut off an important source 
of pain medication for the club members, but how can we knock the 
police for doing their job?

Instead, Breau and his compassion club friends should be knocking the 
law makers who have deemed this substance illegal. Only lawyers and 
drug dealers benefit from this illegal activity, but if it was legal, 
like alcohol and cigarettes, the government would have more control.

Presumably it would be sold like liquor and cigarettes to legal aged 
people. Just like with alcohol, it could be sold in a special store. 
In fact the government could use the pre-existing liquor stores and 
expand their market to include marijuana. With the current taxes on 
alcohol and cigarettes, the government must realize that there is a 
fortune to be made on the legal sale of marijuana.

Also, if was legalized, it could be subject to restrictions same as 
alcohol. It impairs your judgment and you should not be allowed to 
operate a motor vehicle while under its influence.

If people believe legalizing marijuana would lead to more drug use, 
then why isn't everyone carrying around a mickey of vodka or chain 
smoking. In fact, more people are giving up their cigarette habit 
every day thanks to education.

Maybe instead of wasting money and resources fighting drug dealers 
and users, we should be spending the money on education, 
rehabilitation, and social programs.

Maybe the government doesn't want to legalize this effective pain 
reliever, because 'legitimate' drug companies are pushing to keep 
marijuana suppressed. It's a proven fact that marijuana has medicinal 
properties. Many people suffering a whole host of illnesses use 
marijuana to give them an appetite where they would normally be 
unable to eat. Marijuana also acts as a great sedative, yet the 
government is still reluctant to give the general public access to 
this natural substance. Only a selected few, who are under a doctor's 
care, are given a prescription to use marijuana and first these 
people must find a doctor who believes in the benefits of marijuana.

Wouldn't it be nice to one day have the choice about whether or not 
we want to use it.

After all, choice is what makes Canada great.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman