Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jun 2014
Source: Nelson Mail, The (New Zealand)
Copyright: 2014 Fairfax New Zealand Limited
Contact:  http://www.nelsonmail.co.nz/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1069
Author: John Morrison
Page: 7

CALL TO LEGALISE CANNABIS

Your article "Good summer makes cannabis bust a boomer", ( Nelson Mail
May 28) tells us, "5266 plants were seized throughout the district".

So what are the consequences of this? A higher price for the remaining
leaf that was not "seized". Which in turn will attract crafty chemists
to manufacture synthetics and dope addicts needing to somehow increase
their income (more crime?) to pay the higher prices. And let us not
forget the huge amount of police resources used up.

Is it not time we took a look at how prohibition is working here in
New Zealand and ask: Is there a better way? I think there is. We
control tobacco, alcohol and gambling with education, taxation and
regulation. Should cannabis not join this group? At the moment
cannabis cultivation is funding the crims and costing the taxpayer a
mint. Would it not be better turning that around and have cannabis
taxed and, like the taxes on alcohol, gambling and tobacco, funding
the Government instead of the criminals?

Would this increase the abuse of cannabis? I don't think so. Tobacco,
alcohol and gambling all have their abusers/addicts, and we deal with
it. Legalised, I believe cannabis use could be structured/taxed in
such a way it funds the inevitable problems excessive use of it causes.

JOHN MORRISON Atawhai, May 30.
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MAP posted-by: Matt