Pubdate: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 Source: Halifax Herald (CN NS) Copyright: 2002 The Halifax Herald Limited Contact: http://www.herald.ns.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180 Author: Mark Cameron MIXED MESSAGE Dear Editor: The decriminalization of marijuana issue sends a mixed and discombobulated message from our politicians as they consider the matter. For years, the federal and provincial governments spent millions upon millions of dollars to deter smokers from purchasing cigarettes; bombarded our younger members of society with negative campaigning to not "light up;" increased cigarette taxes numerous times; implemented "no-smoking" bans in every corner of our cities and towns; and made every attempt to blame smokers for the "ills" of our health care system. They are now considering whether pot should be made available next to the candy counter in a convenience store near you. Let me draw this scenario to an equally frightening analogy: The government decides it now wants to ban beer (the five-per-cent alcohol kind) and spends millions of your tax dollars to deter beer drinkers from buying beer, and spends more millions of dollars convincing society of the ill effects of beer. Meanwhile, the government-appointed Senate committee recommends to the same politicians that it would be cost-beneficial and perfectly safe to legalize moonshine (the 30-per-cent alcohol kind) and make it available in our convenience stores - and, as a bonus, reduce the legal age of purchase from 18 years of age to 16. Mark Cameron, Halifax - --- MAP posted-by: Josh