Pubdate: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 Black Press Contact: http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/grandforksgazette/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/525 Author: David Janzen IGNORING ASBESTOS BUT NOT MARIJUANA Editor: I will open with a quote from Albert Einstein: "The difference between genius and stupidity is genius has its limits." This week, a number of respected Canadian scientists petitioned the federal Conservatives, asking them to ban the mining and sale of asbestos. Estimated at killing 100,000 people annually, the Conservatives, in their twisted logic, refused to even consider this demand, so the killing goes on. The irony and unlimited stupidity here is the Conservatives have refused to consider legalizing marijuana, a product that kills no one, and in many cases helps the desperately ill. The Conservative government -- driven by right-wing ideology rather than common sense -- instead is embarking on a plan to build more prisons and lock up more Canadian citizens. On one side of the equation we have: legalize marijuana and collect tax dollars, reduce gang crime and policing costs, and on the other side of the equation we have build more prisons, lock up offenders and waste taxpayers' money. I told you stupidity knows no limits. Prohibition has never worked, whether it be prohibition of alcohol or prostitution and so far it hasn't worked for marijuana. Wake up people and smell the grass. David Janzen, Grand Forks - --- MAP posted-by: Matt