Pubdate: Wed, 07 Mar 2012 Source: Terrace Standard (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 Terrace Standard Contact: http://www.terracestandard.com Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1329 Author: Wayne Phillips NATIONAL DRUG STRATEGY WOULD BE ECONOMIC BOON Dear Sir: This is about "MP says pot laws should reflect society," The Terrace Standard, Feb. 15, 2012. Comment: Legalization, regulation and taxation is about the best course of action in order to prevent the harms to youths and communities that currently exist because of marijuana prohibition. Legalization's about disrupting organized crime's cash cow, reducing the violence associated with prohibition, and bringing a substantial tax resource to government coffers. It's about education, harm reduction, removing barriers to medical marijuana and about freeing up resources to better target trans-border trafficking, gangs, meth labs, crime, etc., while insuring rights, freedoms and a regulated enterprise are all guaranteed. Legalization, regulation and taxation in conjunction with a national drug strategy - as opposed to the current national anti-drug action - would be an economic boon while providing the impetus to reconsider outdated U.N. protocols as well as developing a comprehensive policy overview. Canada could well become a recognized international leader in progressive global drug control strategy. Wayne Phillips, Hamilton, Ontario - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom