Pubdate: Thu, 23 Dec 2004
Source: Brooks Bulletin, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2004 The Brooks Bulletin.
Contact:  http://www.brooksbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2917
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

JAIL FOR GROWERS

Currently the federal Liberal government is mulling the
decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana (pot).

It would be a mistake, however, to pursue just this one factor. The
overall picture should be considered.

Extensive studies have illustrated that relaxing the penalty for small
amounts of pot would lead to increased abuse of the drug. Surveys
indicate that drug use spirals if a drug is considered safe and
benign. For example, consider alcohol and tobacco.

Perhaps one way to curb the use of pot if decriminalized is to pass a
law providing a severe jail term for raising and selling the drug.
Make it harder to get.

Unfortunately a number of prominent persons across Canada have
announced they have smoked marijuana, to show their independence and
sustain their ego, of course.

Jailing drug producers would raise the cost to astronomical levels and
thus discourage people from using it, much the same as tobacco?
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MAP posted-by: Derek