Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2004
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2004 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: John Wright

BANNING POT, LIKE BOOZE, LEADS TO RAMPANT CRIME

The prohibition of drugs is worse for us all than the drugs
themselves. Just like Prohibition, we now see corruption in our police
forces and government institutions. It'll only get worse if we
continue with the status quo.

Our laws do nothing but enrich criminals to the tune of billions of
dollars and the harder you clamp down, the more people you throw in
jail, the more valuable the whole business becomes. Some countries
have the death penalty for drug trafficking, but there is still a
steady flow of drugs.

If you want to take a bite out of crime, you must first take control
of the money and cut off their financing. That means legalizing. I'm
sick of wasting my tax dollars busting pot growers when the end result
is only richer, more powerful crooks.

John Wright

Richmond