Pubdate: Mon, 16 Dec 2002
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Ray Lajoie

NEW POT LAW WOULD FREE UP POLICE FOR MORE IMPORTANT CASES

Readers   are  in  agreement  with  federal  Justice  Minister  Martin 
Cauchon's pledge to decriminalize pot for personal use.

Opinions  expressed  recently on the issue of decriminalizing pot have 
created quite a stir among users and non-users.

I  am  among  the latter; and I firmly believe decriminalization would free 
up the time police currently waste busting potheads, leaving them 
to  go  after offences that harm innocent citizens, such as homicides, 
drunk driving and street racing.

What  if the government regulated weed as it does liquor? It could set 
up  a  Marijuana  Control Board that could regulate the supply and the demand.

Think  of  the  taxes it would generate; enough to keep hospitals open 
and  to  hire extra police, enough to put our country back on track in 
regards to the ever-increasing debt.

I  have no problem with the idea: I'd much rather have police officers 
ensuring  my  streets  are  safe  than focusing their precious time on 
grow-ops and small-time dealers.

Ray Lajoie,

Smithers
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