Pubdate: Sat, 26 May 2007
Source: Packet & Times (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007, Osprey Media Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.orilliapacket.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2397
Author: Courtney Whalen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?233 (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition)

LEGALIZE POT TO HALT VIOLENCE, GROUP URGES

Marijuana Dealers, Not The Drug Itself, Blamed For Crime

Legalizing drugs as a way to combat the drug trade may  go against 
traditional views, but it's an idea with its  share of supporters.

A Packet & Times story last week in which a member of  the Huronia 
combined forces drug unit talked about  violence in relation to drugs 
received many responses.

One was from Law Enforcement Against Prohibition  (LEAP), an 
organization comprised of current and former  police officers, 
attorneys, judges and corrections  workers.

The organization is in favour of legalizing drugs as a  way to take 
the drug trade off the streets and into a  regulated environment.

"We're not starry-eyed utopians who think we aren't  going to have 
any problems," said LEAP founding  secretary John Gayder, who works 
in law enforcement in  Niagara Falls.

"We're still going to have addiction, but the drug  dealers won't be 
getting rich from it and the bloodshed  will stop."

While he doesn't deny drug-related violence exists, he  said it isn't 
necessarily because of the drugs  themselves, but due to conflicts 
among dealers,  manufacturers, consumers and law enforcement.

If drugs were legalized, he argued, disputes could be  settled 
through legal channels, an option not currently  available.

By taking away the illicit nature of producing and  distributing 
drugs, LEAP believes the market for  illegal drug dealers and 
producers would be eliminated.

"I'd sooner focus on the fact that drugs are a  commodity that a huge 
number of the population want to  consume," he said, noting he's not 
an advocate of drug  use, but supports bringing drugs into a sphere 
where  regulations can be imposed on those who do use them.

Ron McInnes, owner of local business The Pot Shop,  supports 
legalizing marijuana, something he believes  he'll see in the future. 
"A lot of people who want it  legalized are passive to the point 
where they won't  speak up," he said, adding if all those in support 
of legalizing the drug came together, there would be more  movement 
on the issue.

"I think marijuana should be legalized with the same  rules beer 
has," he added.

The parallel between drugs and alcohol is one LEAP  draws, as well.

Gayder points to the prohibition of alcohol in the  early 20th 
century, which led to the rise of criminals  who sold it illegally. 
He said when prohibition ended,  so did the majority of criminal 
activity associated  with it. He believes it would be the same with 
an end  to prohibition on drugs.

Frank Elbers, director of drug enforcement for the OPP,  knows there 
are those who would like to see drugs,  specifically marijuana, 
legalized. But, as long as  marijuana remains an illegal substance, 
police will  continue to uphold the laws surrounding it, he said.

"If the government decides to change the laws, as they  have for a 
number of other things, then we would change  accordingly."
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman