Pubdate: Thu, 11 Dec 2003
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2003 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Matthew Hulett
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CANADA ISN'T THE PROBLEM

I think we have heard this tune from officials from the United States 
before. Have we not? And, does any Canadian truly believe our DEA has the 
power to trump our commercial interests, that we would damage our economy 
over a trickle of marijuana from Canada when we are being relatively 
flooded from Mexico, and from within our own borders, with ample supplies 
of marijuana?

I quote the RCMP: "To put things in perspective, it is estimated that 
approximately three tons of Canadian marijuana are seized each year in the 
United States, while the exports from Mexico alone total thousands of tons 
annually. During the first half of 1999 alone, U.S. Customs intercepted 547 
tons of marijuana being smuggled into the country from Mexico. The U.S. are 
basically their own main source of marijuana."

In fact, were this genuine concern being expressed, you would think the 
border would already be shut down to the flood of soft drugs, hard drugs, 
and guns the United States sends on into Canada.

What drug warriors fear are tolerant attitudes and productive examples of 
alternative drug policies. Not to mention their increasing isolation in the 
world as regards the notion that arresting and caging marijuana users is a 
good thing.

I would not take what our ambassador to your country says at face value.

Matthew Hulett, Brick, N.J.

(Here's a Canuck on our 'tolerant' policy ...)
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MAP posted-by: Jackl