Pubdate: Thu, 13 May 2010
Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Nelson Daily News
Contact: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/section/nelson0303&template=letter
Website: http://www.nelsondailynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/288
Author: Russell Barth

TORY POT PROPOSALS MAKE NO SENSE

To The Editor:

Re: Atamanenko decries Conservative crime bill

"...and doesn't address the problems of organized crime."

The only way we can effectively undermine organized crime is by 
legalizing and regulating their commodities.  This bill should be 
called a gangster-subsidization bill because increasing penalties 
will simply increase the power and profit of the 95 per cent of 
dealer who will never be caught.

The Cons are also trying to impose a US style-for-profit prison 
system onto Canada.  This mandatory minimum sentencing policy has 
been wildly successful in the US - crime has increased, civil 
liberties have been curtailed, the public is more frightened, and a 
handful of jail-owners are getting obscenely wealthy.  That is what 
Stephen Harper wants for Canada.

Russell Barth

Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User Drug Reform Analyst and 
Consultant Educators for Sensible Drug Policy
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom