Pubdate: Mon, 19 Dec 2011 Source: Kamloops Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Ken McFadden Contact: http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/679 Author: Ken McFadden KEEP THE MARIJUANA ISSUE SIMPLE In regards to the people who advocate the legalization of marijuana, this makes sense if it is for personal use. Where the whole debate goes sideways is when statements like this "will take the criminal element out of the equation" are made. The four ex-mayors from Vancouver used this argument as do some letter writers. Seeing as the marijuana is smuggled into the U.S. and swapped for cocaine, methamphetamine, guns and whatever else, I would really appreciate someone explaining how this will work. The argument will probably be along the lines of tax it and use the proceeds for more enforcement. So do we wind up with our own version of the DEA and put billions down that rabbit hole or do we keep it simple and push for the legalization for personal use? The choice is yours. Dump the whole issue of taking the criminal element out of the marijuana trade and you might stand a better chance of achieving something. KISS. KEN McFADDEN Kamloops - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom