Pubdate: Tue, 20 Dec 2011
Source: Tri-City News (Port Coquitlam, CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Tri-City News
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/3X3xlf9Y
Website: http://www.tricitynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1239
Authors: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n718/a06.html

SAYING NO TO POT ISN'T WORKING, SAYS ACTIVIST

Regarding columnist Jim Nelson's thoughtful Dec. 16 column, marijuana 
eradication efforts are no doubt well-intended but ultimately 
counterproductive. The drug war's distortion of immutable laws of 
supply and demand causes big money to grow on little trees.

Canadian tax dollars are wasted on anti-drug strategies that only 
make marijuana growing more profitable. In 2002, the Canadian senate 
offered a common-sense alternative to prohibition when the Special 
Committee on Illegal Drugs concluded that marijuana is relatively 
benign, marijuana prohibition contributes to organized crime and law 
enforcement efforts have little impact on patterns of use.

Consider the experience of Canada's southern neighbour, the former 
land of the free and current record holder in citizens incarcerated. 
Based on findings that criminal records are inappropriate as health 
interventions, a majority of European Union countries have 
decriminalized marijuana. Despite marijuana prohibition -- and 
perhaps because of forbidden fruit appeal -- lifetime use of 
marijuana is higher in the U.S. than in any European country. The 
short-term health effects of marijuana are inconsequential compared 
to the long-term effects of criminal records.

Canada should follow the lead of Europe and Just Say No to the 
American inquisition.

Robert Sharpe, Arlington, Virginia, Common Sense for Drug Policy
- ---
MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart