Pubdate: Wed, 29 Apr 2009
Source: Miramichi Leader (CN NK)
Copyright: 2009 Brunswick News Inc.
Contact: http://miramichileader.canadaeast.com/onsite.php?page=contact
Website: http://miramichileader.canadaeast.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4756
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n471/a07.html
Author: Russell Barth

BILL C-15 A GOOD IDEA BUT FOCUS SHOULD BE ON CRIME PREVENTION

Bill c-15 is designed specifically to increase crime. By imposing 
mandatory minimum sentences for pot growing, the government scares 
off the small time mom 'n pop growers who offer direct market 
competition to the gang-affiliated growers. This leaves more 
business, and more profit for the gangs, which will increase the 
violent competition between rival factions.

The police and government will use that increase in crime as 
justification for even more increases in police powers and budgets, 
and justify the further usurping of Canadians' basic right to choose. 
The best way to thwart the gangs is to set up a legal, regulated 
marijuana market that can compete with the criminal market.

The best way to further subsidize the gangs is to make something 
illegal even more illegal. Their motivation to make money far 
outweighs their motivation to avoid jail. The "War On Certain Drugs" 
was never meant to be won, it was meant to be continuous. It was 
designed to reduce the civil rights and liberties of the general 
population, accustom them to an ongoing and ever-growing police 
presence, drain taxpayers' dollars, and to keep lawyers rich, cops 
busy, and jails full.

Police don't want the "War On Certain Drugs" to ever end because it 
gives them all the leverage they need to harass the young, people of 
colour, the poor, and people with non-regulation hairstyles. It makes 
their job relevant and never ending. Prohibition is a growth industry 
as big a cash cow for police and lawyers and jailers as it is for 
gangsters. They are two sides of the same coin.

Russell Barth, Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User

Patients Against Ignorance and Discrimination on Cannabis 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake