Pubdate: Sat, 10 Aug 2013
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Von Jeppesen
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n385/a03.html

POT: TO LEGALIZE OR NOT

Re: Legalizing pot, endorsing stupidity, Aug. 7

Rosie DiManno's column reads like one long diatribe against cannabis 
and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau. She fails to concede that 
historically anyone who even suggests fact-based alternatives opposed 
to conservative rhetoric is tarred and feathered as "soft on crime."

Despite the overwhelming evidence that the global War on Drugs has 
been a complete and utter failure since its declaration 50 years ago, 
it is shocking to read such a lazy and irresponsible approach to drug 
policy in this country. The road is broken beyond repair yet we 
should continue to drive on this roundabout because we don't have all 
the solutions?

DiManno is perplexed about how the government could "crusade against 
smoking" while "simultaneously promoting easier access to cannabis." 
Federal and provincial governments receive plenty of tax revenue from 
alcohol (remember that prohibition?), which is arguably more harmful 
to society in terms of the health and social consequences than cannabis.

My definition of a "ruthless black market" is vastly different from 
DiManno's coincidental Bernardo reference to Mexico's all-out war 
with the drug cartels. You know that place where they find a dozen 
decapitated bodies in a ditch and you're just as dead if you're a 
police constable or the chief.

Instead of congratulating Trudeau for breaking this political taboo 
and rhetoric regarding drug policy in this country, he is slammed for 
completing a "flip-flop" - because you know, politicians never get it 
wrong the first time.

If going against the status-quo of incarcerating non-violent 
offenders, the unnecessary overcrowding of our courts and 
correctional facilities, makes Trudeau stupid, I'm with him.

Von Jeppesen, Burlington
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom