Pubdate: Fri, 23 Nov 2007
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1348/a09.html
Author: Eric Lofgren

NEW POT LEGISLATION IS HALF-BAKED

Re: B.C. will need more jail space for pot growers, Nov. 21

On behalf of prosecutors, defence lawyers, the prison-industrial 
complex and organized gangs all over the country, I would like to 
thank the Stephen Harper government for making the pot industry more 
profitable than it already is.

The "more illegal" a substance becomes, the greater the rewards that 
stand to be gained by those who are willing to bear the increased 
risks. Sure, the stiffer penalties will scare off some growers, but 
they will likely be the ma-and-pa operators, single moms (just like 
on the television show Weeds), and those growing small amounts for 
personal use. Since it is typically only gangs and hardened criminals 
who are willing to bear the risks, the Conservatives' legislation 
will have the exact opposite effect of what was intended -- i.e., the 
growth, sale and distribution of pot will fall even further into the 
clutches of gangs, along with escalated violence and the collateral 
damage that goes with it.

Nice going, Mr. Harper: If you want us to become more like the United 
States -- with its high rate of incarceration and a federal prison 
population of which two-thirds are drug offenders, yet with illicit 
drugs more available than ever before -- you are on the right track.

Eric Lofgren

Vancouver
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