Pubdate: Tue, 17 Feb 2009 Source: Northern View, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 The Northern View Contact: http://www.thenorthernview.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4366 Author: Bruce Symington Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09.n174.a04.html SCHOOL NUMBERS MAKE THE CASE FOR POT LEGALIZATION Editor: Regarding the report of Ms. Robinson on school suspensions reported on thenorthernview.com on February 11: 30 of 52 suspensions so far this year were due to cannabis (marijuana) and the rest were for 'fighting, behaviour and alcohol'. The interesting part is that alcohol was the cause of far fewer problems in school than cannabis. This is due to the difficulty students have in obtaining alcohol. Why do they have this problem? Because the dealers could lose their legal right to deal alcohol if they sell to kids, any adult would be likewise penalized if they give or sell it and society backs this position as a reasonable approach. Kids have less trouble obtaining cannabis because the dealers are already doing something illegal, so selling to kids is no big deal. Opinion polls tell us that the majority of citizens likewise favour legalizing cannabis. When that happens, the newly licensed dealers will have a reason not to sell to youth, and they will have a much more difficult time obtaining weed. Legalize, Regulate and Tax. Do it for the children. Bruce Symington Medicine Hat AB - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin