Pubdate: Tue, 04 Feb 2003
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author:  Derek Snider

LEGALIZE POT, CONTROL DRUGS

Editor, The News:

Regarding the Jan. 25 front-page article in the Abbotsford News ('Ottawa 
going to pot?'):

Abbotsford school trustees will write to the federal government, expressing 
concern about last month's announcement that Justice Minister Martin 
Cauchon plans to have possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana decriminalized.

Trustee Uultsje DeJong tabled the motion, saying 30 grams of cannabis can 
make 40 to 50 joints.

"Thirty grams is more than a person needs for personal use," said DeJong. 
"I do believe it is a gateway drug."

Please note that cigarettes are regularly sold by the carton (200 
cigarettes) and beer by the case (12 or 24).

These standard amounts are far more than what is usually consumed in a 
single day, yet no restrictions are placed on buying multiple cartons of 
cigarettes or multiple cases of beer.

If the school trustees of Abbotsford are truly concerned about children, 
teenagers and drugs, then they should push for full government regulation 
and legalization.

It is currently much easier for teenagers to obtain illicit drugs than to 
obtain alcohol and cigarettes.

Legalization would bring these drugs (i.e. marijuana) under control.

Derek Snider

Toronto
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MAP posted-by: Beth