Pubdate: Wed, 21 Dec 2011
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2011 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: E.W. Bopp
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n722/a11.html?1284

KEEP THE WAR ON DRUGS GOING

Re: We Can't Afford A War On Weed, Larry Campbell, Philip Owen and Sam Sullivan, Dec. 19.

Hurrah for the clarion call by three former Vancouver mayors for an 
end to marijuana prohibition. Legalize pot and - presto - gang-related 
violent crime and fear among our citizens would disappear.

But wait, that's not all. In their enthusiasm, they missed the 
collateral benefit of having solved Canada's problem of declining 
tourism from south of the border and elsewhere. Just think of the 
tourism potential of a mass influx of drug-deprived folks descending 
on the "True North, Strong and Free and Legally Drugged," pouring 
untold millions of much-needed dollars into our struggling economy ... 
with many undoubtedly wishing to stay permanently.

That's the kind of "stimulus" (pun intended) that would really help us 
all get through these hard economic times with a "buzz."

On a less euphoric note, however, the myths and fallacies of "ending 
marijuana prohibition" are numerous. Here are just two, as outlined by 
the Canadian Police Association: Myth #1: Legalization will drive the 
crime rate down; Myth #2: Organized crime would be reduced with legalization.

While the "Vancouver Three" may consider these myths mere "police 
propaganda," I would nevertheless challenge them to provide us with a 
smokeless view of whatever "reality" they are coming from.

E.W. Bopp

Tsawwassen, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Richard R Smith Jr.