Pubdate: Fri, 12 Nov 2010 Source: Prince George Citizen (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Prince George Citizen Contact: http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/350 Author: Rusty Shackelford LEGALIZE POT AND PUT CRIMP IN GANGS' STYLE Legalization of marijuana is needed to stop gang violence in our city. Gangs hold a monopoly on marijuana distribution within our region because a majority of people deem it harmful to our society. The minority of people who use marijuana do not object because they have a means of purchasing this drug from different illegitimate sources. These illegitimate sources operate using violence to settle any disputes because they have no legal action when a dispute occurs (as seen in Chicago during the liquor wars of Prohibition). If the government legalized marijuana legitimate business would begin distribution and would operate under the law. The need for violence to settle disputes would cease because business would have legal action. The minority would have a legal means of gaining their sought after product rendering a huge financial blow to gangs. In order to stop gang violence marijuana needs to be rationally viewed for what it really is and made legal. Rusty Shackelford, Prince George - --- MAP posted-by: Matt