Pubdate: Tue, 03 Mar 2009 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2009 Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Russell Barth Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk. GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZES GANGS With their recently proposed amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Harper government is suggesting mandatory minimum sentences of six months for growing a single pot plant. Although this will do nothing to frighten gangsters, it will scare off the mom-and-pop growers who present direct market competition to the gangs, increasing the gangs' profits. This policy also promises to increase associated gun violence. Why the government would further subsidize gangs is no mystery: it panders to their misinformed, punishment-happy and myopic voter base, while placating police who need even more troops and funding for this War On Plants. Russell Barth (Opinion polls suggest the public already knows it's foolish.) - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin