It is good that a lower mainland coalition of eight mayors are asking for the decriminalization of marijuana. While there are those who oppose this move on the grounds that pot is a gateway drug to more dangerous drugs here is my opinion as to why they are both right, and wrong. If pot were a gateway drug then a large percentage of those over 50 would be either dead from overdose, criminally supporting a habit or just totally wasted each day from their addictions. That is my argument against the 'gateway' concept. [continues 102 words]
Editor, the Times: It is good that a Lower Mainland coalition of eight mayors is asking for the decriminalization of marijuana. While there are those who oppose this move on the grounds that pot is a gateway drug to more dangerous drugs, here is my opinion as to why they are both right, and wrong. If pot were a gateway drug then a large percentage of those over 50 would be either dead from overdose, criminally supporting a habit or just totally wasted each day from their addictions. [continues 111 words]
Editor: It is good that a Lower Mainland coalition of eight mayors are asking for the decriminalization of marijuana. While there are those who oppose this move on the grounds that pot is a gateway drug to more dangerous drugs here is my opinion as to why they are both right, and wrong. If pot were a gateway drug then a large percentage of those over 50 would be either dead from overdose, criminally supporting a habit or just totally wasted each day from their addictions. That is my argument against the "gateway" concept. [continues 104 words]
It is good that a coalition of eight mayors is asking for the decriminalization of marijuana. While there are those who oppose this move on the grounds that pot is a gateway drug to more dangerous drugs, here is my opinion as to why they are both right, and wrong. If pot were a gateway drug then a large percentage of those over 50 would be either dead from overdose, criminally supporting a habit or just totally wasted each day from their addictions. That is my argument against the "gateway" concept. [continues 105 words]
Six months in jail for six pot plants. Sound fair? What will be the cost to build new prisons when the current ones are full, plus extra court costs and policing. Make no mistake, this government is planning to privatize prisons just like the current slave prisons in the U.S.A., where inmates are forced to work for about 25 cents an hour to make anything from jeans to furniture, yielding huge profits for the 'prison corporations' and putting others out of work. [continues 138 words]
Council is currently rethinking its opposition to supporting a needle exchange. While I can understand the initial desire to distance themselves from anything that may be interpreted as supporting drug addiction, in that 'distancing' the community distances itself from the addict who cries for help every time he or she seeks a fix. Apart from reducing the risk of contracting hepatitis C or HIV, a needle exchange is an opportunity to make at least some contact and offer help without judgment should the addict be at the point of asking, but without that contact there is no opportunity. [continues 63 words]
Editor, Black Press I have concerns regarding Bill-C26 which calls for mandatory minimum prison sentences. Minimum sentencing has become popular in the U.S. but just because it looks like something is being done about crime. When these laws were introduced in the U.S., the prisons began to fill up so quickly that they could not build new ones fast enough. However, corporate America offered to build and operate new prisons, for a fee of course. These prisons have now become slave work camps where the inmates are paid about 25 cents an hour. I understand that refusal to work means further punishment. [continues 128 words]
Editor, The News: I agree with Mayor Peary that the police lack the tools required to quell the violence created by the struggle for power within the gangster community. However, what would these tools be? It is my opinion that there is not and never will be a "tool" that the police could possess that will stop this problem. It is a problem for humanity that cannot be solved through prohibition or by taking away a person's right to do what they want with their own body. [continues 95 words]
