On Saturday, March 3, 2008, cannabis users around the world gathered together to peacefully protest unjust cannabis laws. Reportedly, almost 30,000 gathered at Queen's Park in Toronto, despite the rain. Not so surprisingly, not one incident was reported, not one arrest was made. Contrast that with the local pubs in our city on a typical Friday night, where fights and general nastiness are common occurrences and eat up police resources. Does anyone see the irony here? Our government is poised to enact minimum sentences for many cannabis offences. We are prepared to put many of our citizens in jail for victimless offences. We will saddle our citizens with criminal records that could follow them for the rest of their lives. Otherwise law-abiding citizens will lose their jobs, maybe their children and most assuredly, their freedom if Bill C26 is enacted. Do we really want to follow the failed U.S. war on drugs and have one in every 100 of our citizens in jail? Let's stop this madness now. Just say no to Bill C26. Legalize, regulate and educate. Cheryl MacLellan e-mail [end]
Re: Beavis and Berton, Shinan Govani, June 23. Bravo to Pierre Berton for "coming out" as a cannabis user. As a police officer and a proud activist against the drug wars, it's refreshing to see a Canadian icon normalize the responsible use of one of the most innocuous psychoactive drugs known to mankind. It's time all like-minded Canadians speak out against our failed drug policies. I am amazed and dismayed at the amount of taxpayers' money spent on enforcing marijuana laws, while units investigating child abuse, sex assaults and homicides are woefully underfunded. [continues 109 words]
