Pubdate: Thu, 19 Jul 2001
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2001, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Page: A16
Author: Max Christie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DOOBIE WARNING

Toronto -- While I had to laugh at most of Paul Sullivan's column on the 
secret to B.C.'s economic success (The Dopesters Of La-La Land -- July 17), 
I did find the reference to the "criminal infrastructure" that runs and 
benefits most from the marijuana market chilling. Can anyone say Al Capone? 
The argument is so worn that it's embarrassing to drag it out in public again.

Let's outlaw tobacco. Let's bring back prohibition. Or, rather, let's keep 
our heads well and truly in the sand in the belief that by calling two 
addictive drugs permissible and manageable, we have the problem licked. 
Let's ensure a fair place in society for the criminals who run the drug trade.

If the market for pot is so substantial, doubtless the evidence of its harm 
to the users is equally weighty. I'm looking forward to the enlightened age 
when packages of state-controlled (and taxed, to be sure) doobies come with 
the graphic warning: "Continuous use of marijuana can make you silly."
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MAP posted-by: GD