Pubdate: Sun, 04 Mar 2001
Source: Halifax Daily News (CN NS)
Copyright: 2001 The Daily News.
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.southam.ca/
Author: David d'Apollonia

DONHAM'S RIGHT ABOUT DRUG LAWS

To the editor:

The debate to legalize cannabis has been going on for a long time. Canada 
had its own Le Dain Commission almost 30 years ago. It correctly identified 
the mistakes with our drug laws and made appropriate recommendations. Yet 
Canadian lawmakers ignored it. Why?

My compliments to Parker Barss Donham for his latest column (Canada Should 
Avoid War On Drugs, The Sunday Daily News, Feb 25). He correctly identified 
the main reasons most of Canada's lawmakers have refused to act: stupidity 
and cowardice.

We all know what it is like to be ignorant and fearful. No one is immune to 
that "ground zero" of the human condition. We do eventually learn from our 
mistakes and even make progress to change our imperfect society.

Superstitions, fears and prejudices begin to fade away, replaced by 
understanding, trust and co-operation.

What are our lawmakers waiting for, permission from the Prime Minister's 
Office to change the drug laws? Unfortunately, it seems so. Imperium in 
imperio?

David d'Apollonia
Dartmouth
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