Pubdate: Thu, 23 Feb 2012
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Wayne Phillips
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n143/a02.html

PROHIBITION FEEDS VIOLENCE

Re: "Former B.C. A-Gs join push to legalize marijuana," The Leader, Feb. 14.

This confirms what organizations and advocates of legalization, 
regulation, and taxation have been saying all along.

But what has B.C. Attorney General Shirley Bond been smoking? The 
idea that police efforts to combat gang violence are working is an 
outrageous fabrication. As long as prohibition exists gang violence 
will persist and, on occasion, the odd bystander will get caught in 
the crossfire. With the passing of the Safe Streets and Communities 
Act gang violence will likely escalate as well as the potential for 
collateral damage.

One would think that when a policy has such far-reaching and obvious 
consequences the attorney general (of all people) would be required 
to act accordingly for the common good. Where marijuana prohibition 
and attorney generals are concerned, this has never been the case. 
Attorney General Bond is, apparently, no exception.

Wayne Phillips
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom