Pubdate: Tue, 20 Jan 2009
Source: Goldstream Gazette (Victoria, CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Black Press
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/vvfJCciY
Website: http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291
Author: Stan White
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n044/a06.html

MARIJUANA PROHIBITION AT ROOT OF DRUG GANGS

Re: B.C. losing war on drug gangs, B.C. Views, Jan. 14, 2009.

Tom Fletcher isn't just accurately describing the way things are; he's
describing the direction things are moving to.

In the early 1970s the Le Dain Commission's report along with Canada's
2002 Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs report unanimously recommended
to regulate marijuana the same way as alcohol.

Since Canada ignored those recommendations, the problems associated
with prohibiting the relatively safe, socially acceptable plant
cannabis have escalated.

Millions of North Americans demand cannabis and one way or the other
that demand will be honoured. Cannabis will be cultivated and it will
increase rather than decrease. Except for those who profit, nearly
every person who uses cannabis would prefer to acquire it from
regulated sources but all will purchase it in the black market if
necessary. It's just a matter of who consumers give their money to.

Right now consumers are ready, willing, able and eager to give it to
regulated sources along with its share of taxes to government but
government doesn't want it. The money is changing hands either way.

Stan White

Dillon, Colorado
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin