Pubdate: Sat, 10 Nov 2012 Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2012 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/5NyOACet Website: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531 Author: Mark Billesberger B.C. SHOULD FOLLOW WASH. STATE'S LEAD ON POT I see mandatory minimum sentencing of six months in prison has been instituted for people in possession of six marijuana plants or more. This is twice the minimum jail sentence afforded to flashers in playgrounds as well as predators who attempt to lure children into viewing pornography. What more evidence do we need to see that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the judicial system have gone completely stark, raving mad? On Nov. 6, Washington state and Colorado voted to legalize possession of up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational purposes. The potential for huge revenues from this move has been known for quite some time, not to mention the blow it will deal to the gangs, financially. Our country, on the other hand, seems to be moving in the opposite direction. It's like Harper has gone on a complete power trip. Harper's way of thinking is archaic and downright dangerous. He wants to sign a deal with China that will put us, our children and our grandchildren in a precarious financial situation frought with possible lawsuits. His policies as far as criminality and justice go will accomplish nothing more than clog up our courts even more than they already are, the end result being more dangerous and violent offenders walking away from their charges because their "right to a speedy trial" has been violated. Make no mistake, Harper has to go before our country goes completely down the toilet. Mark Billesberger, Penticton - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom