Pubdate: Sun, 27 Jul 2003
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 The Calgary Sun
Contact:  http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Matthew M. Elrod
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n1104/a01.html?1093

NO DRUG-FREE SOCIETY

IN RESPONSE to letter writer Jay Hunter, who observed that Health Canada's 
ability to undercut the cannabis market is "proof of exactly what 
prohibition does," inflate prices and profits for criminals, the Sun 
remarked: "Jail hinders the profit margin considerably." It is funny you 
should mention that. Cannabis is worth twice as much in prison as it is on 
the street. Ask any prison guard. Providing cannabis to inmates is an 
extremely lucrative business, providing us with more proof of what 
prohibition does and what it can NEVER deliver -- a "drug-free" society. 
Putting the odd cannabis dealer behind bars just increases the stakes and 
profits for the vast majority who are lucky, smart or ruthless enough not 
to get caught. I doubt Starbucks would be upset if the police shut down Tim 
Hortons.

Matthew M. Elrod

(No, but we'd sure miss those Timbits.)
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens