Pubdate: Wed, 27 Sep 2017 Source: Kingston Whig-Standard (CN ON) Copyright: 2017 Sun Media Contact: http://www.thewhig.com/letters Website: http://www.thewhig.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/224 Author: Larry Comeau Page: A4 CHIEFS HAVE RIGHT TO BE CONCERNED Re: "Chiefs on high alert as pot legalization looms," Sept. 26. With no simply roadside test for impairment by pot inhalation available and a certainty of more impaired drivers on our highways leading to more road deaths, police chiefs have every right to be concerned. Then we have to factor in the idea that, in Ontario, everyone can grow four marijuana plants, have no more than 30 ounces on their person, only smoke the drug in their residence and that nobody under 19 can legally possess pot. This means from a policing perspective, enforcement is much more complicated than when the drug was illegal. Then with its resources already stretched, the police will have to investigate the illicit distribution of pot by organized crime, which will become involved just as it has in Colorado and Washington states. Liberal politicians simply refuse to accept that organized crime will be a major problem once pot become legal, no matter what they sell the drug for! Really compounding things for the police, other front-line agencies and our overworked health-care system, which is already trying to cope with the opioid crises sweeping our nation, is the timing of adding legalized pot could not be worse. There will be many unforeseen consequences of increased pot use, especially from a health standpoint. Trudeau never really addresses anything but the positives with his dangerous plan. My big question is why the chiefs of police did not raise their alarm bells when Prime Minister Trudeau first floated the legalization message, as a vote- and revenue-getting scheme? I am afraid now their concerns will fall on deaf ears, as both the Trudeau and provincial governments are eagerly waiting huge windfalls. Larry Comeau Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Matt