Pubdate: Wed, 14 Sep 2005
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 Maple Ridge News
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Dan Banov
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

GOVERNMENT SHOULD TAX DRUGS, END PROHIBITION

Editor, the News:

It seems every second week the News is reporting on the busting of
some grow-op or drug operation.

Houses are destroyed, people arrested, the odd murder, illegal money,
use of police and court time all come into play.

Why do we have all these problems?

Because the government is attempting to control the moral behaviour of
the public.

In the 1930s, they tried to control use of alcohol. So how did making
it illegal protect the public? It created drug wars (remember the old
Elliott Ness movies), filled prisons and wasted tax dollars - all in
the name of public morality.

Prohibition did not work then and does not work now.

Prohibition laws telling people what they can consume or use are
contrary to the freedom we have fought many wars for. Citizens should
be able to choose their own TV shows, diets, religion, type of
partner, drug or anything they wish, as long as it does not infringe
on the rights of others.

Laws should protect people from others infringing on their rights --
not forcing moral behaviours --for instance, laws to stop drinking
driving or theft.

Government should help educate people to make the right choices. It
should tax drugs (like cigarettes and alcohol) to help pay for
encouraging right or informed choices.

When you make a drug illegal, it is very difficult to control its use.
Cigarettes are legal and controlled.

I would say that a child has more difficulty getting cigarettes than
most illegal drugs, so what does the illegal label do? It certainly
does not control use.

My personal moral values? I would consider a couple of Christians
driving their children to church and smoking cigarettes to be a much
worse crime than two adults choosing to go to a party to smoke a joint.

While I have never smoked marijuana or cigarettes, I do not think my
values should be forced on others.

Dan Banov

Marijuana Party of Canada candidate Pitt Meadows-Maple

Ridge-Mission 
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