Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jan 2002
Source: Cambridge Reporter, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Cambridge Reporter
Contact:  http://www.cambridge-reporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1470
Author: Matthew M. Elrod
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

TOUGH SENTENCES NO SOLUTION

In your Jan. 4 editorial, you concluded that "the proliferation of 
(cannabis) home grows poses a threat to communities that can only be 
stopped with tough, serious sentencing."

Your theory is not consistent with the available evidence.

There is no correlation between sentencing and the proliferation of home 
grows, much less community safety.

The prices, profits and destructive techniques employed to avoid detection 
rise in tandem with the perceived risks.

I do not feel threatened by my neighbour's vegetable garden but electrical 
fires, home invasions, drive-by shootings and lost SWAT teams make me nervous.

Yes, home grows and our futile efforts to stop them pose a threat to 
communities, but one that can only be reduced by legalizing, taxing and 
regulating the cannabis trade.

Matthew M. Elrod, Victoria, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager