Pubdate: Wed, 09 Mar 2005
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Ted Arichteff
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk.

PARANOID PROHIBITION

There must be a better way. Like Greg Weston wrote, marijuana killed
no one on that fateful day on an Alberta farm. A "nut" with a gun did.

There could have been tomato plants growing in that quonset hut, it
wouldn't have mattered. Roszko had one thing on his mind, and that was
to kill authority, and he did. Marijuana has actually never killed
anyone. It is easily the most understood stimulant in the history of
mankind.

This "paranoid prohibition" must stop. Society must enter the 21st
century and start dealing with subjects (prostitution is another) that
are never, ever going to go away.

Regulate it and control it. It still will not be a perfect system. But
if done right, no more people will lose their lives over what is just
a harmless, naturally grown plant. Then our fine law enforcement
agencies can deal with crime that needs dealing with.

Ted Arichteff

Winnipeg

(There are certainly other drugs they can occupy themselves pursuing)