Pubdate: Wed, 08 Feb 2012
Source: Delta Optimist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc
Contact:  http://www.delta-optimist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1265
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n102/a12.html

MAKE IT LEGAL

Editor:

Re: Federal politicians must look at big picture on new laws, 
Community Comment, Feb. 3

Ian Robertson's column is right on target.

Hazardous marijuana grow-operations are a direct result of marijuana 
prohibition. Legitimate farmers do not steal electricity to grow 
produce in the basements of rented homes.

If legal, growing marijuana would be less profitable then farming 
tomatoes. As it stands, the drug war distorts market forces such that 
big money grows on little trees.

Canadian policymakers should ignore the reefer madness hysteria of 
the U.S. and instead to look their own Senate for guidance. In the 
words of Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, "Scientific evidence 
overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful 
than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a 
social and public health issue."

Robert Sharpe

Policy Analyst

Common Sense for Drug Policy
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom