Pubdate: Sun, 05 Nov 2017
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2017 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.timescolonist.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Bill Harding
Page: A13

LET THE MARKET SET POT PRICES

Re: "Legalized pot expected to have 'significant impact' on police 
work," Nov. 1. I just read an article about legalized marijuana 
dramatically increasing the workload for police forces across the 
country. This makes no sense.

I believe the police currently check for possession, driving while
high, etc. They talk to kids about drugs now. They do surveillance on
gangs and bust grow-ops. Will things change that much after
legalization? If the object is to reduce or eliminate the black
market, many of these problems will be reduced, not increased.

Priced competitively, the legal market will absorb much of the demand.
Most otherwise law-abiding citizens who buy on the black market would
much prefer to buy legally or grow their own. If it is priced too
high, the black market will thrive. Allowing the market to set the
price means jobs, growth, new taxes and a greatly reduced black market.

If legalization reduces the black market, those resources can be
reused for traffic enforcement and education. Additional resources
shouldn't be needed. Makes sense to me.

Bill Harding

Victoria
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MAP posted-by: Matt