Pubdate: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Coast Reporter Contact: http://www.coastreporter.net/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580 Author: Alison Lindsay PLEASED WITH SENATE VOTE Editor: I am writing in response to your editorial (Coast Reporter, Dec. 11) regarding bill C15. I am very pleased that the Senate had the common sense to raise the number of marijuana plants grown from five to 201 before imposing a mandatory jail sentence. How absurd to waste police time, clog up our increasingly dysfunctional law courts and fill up our jails with people guilty of growing a few plants. It is generally accepted in informed circles that marijuana is a much less harmful substance than either alcohol or tobacco. Instead of following the failed drug policies of the U.S., a more enlightened approach would be for Canada to de-criminalize or legalize marijuana and allow the police to prosecute and jail real criminals. I suspect the only reason Bill C15 actually reached the Senate is because both Conservative and Liberal MPs see these so-called "law and order" bills as a misguided attempt to gain votes, and not because of any real principles. Alison Lindsay Roberts Creek - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D