Pubdate: Sat, 14 Feb 2009 Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist Contact: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/letters.html Website: http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481 Author: David Lowther Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n173.a08.html LEGALIZE POT, HALT GANGS Just as in Chicago of the Roaring 1920s, the Vancouver carnage is a result of prohibition and only ending the legal impediments to regulated drug traffic will work. When the enormous profits are transferred from the criminal gangs to a government regulatory agency, there will be no financial incentive. The apologists for Prohibition and other forms of social engineering insist that it saves lives, but we live with daily evidence to the contrary. Further, we can use the tax revenues generated by marijuana sales to pay off the Olympic deficit and reopen our rural schools and hospitals. Everybody wins but the gangsters. Action may be needed on gang violence but, contrary to your editorial opinion, Gordon Campbell is not the man to take it. Mr. Campbell is merely premier, and as a federal issue the solution belongs with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Write your member of Parliament and demand action today. David Lowther Mesachie Lake - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin