Pubdate: Wed, 25 Oct 2006
Source: Brampton Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Brampton Guardian
Contact:  http://www.thebramptonguardian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1485
Author: Russell Barth

MEDICINAL PIPES

Barb Davies makes some interesting points in her letter, Drug 
paraphernalia in stores, in The Guardian's Oct. 11 edition. But as a 
federal medical marijuana license holder, who is also married to a 
license holder, I think I can clarify a few things.

I would like to point out that those glass pipes can also be used for 
smoking medical marijuana. To forbid the sale of these devices would 
violate the Charter Rights of people who use cannabis for medical reasons.

However, displaying them in the open, where kids can see and even buy 
them, is not acceptable in my view. Like tobacco, that stuff should 
be behind the counter, or better yet, out of the reach of people 
under the age 18 or 19.

As for the "moral or ethical values and the safety of our community," 
the blame for this ongoing mess falls squarely on prohibition. If 
these drugs were regulated like alcohol, the crime would drop dramatically.

This is not an opinion, it is a scientifically and historically proven fact.

Just look at booze in the last century. Prohibition is the problem 
and regulation is the cure.

I like Ms. Davies' idea of boycotting the stores, but I would suggest 
she also write letters to her MPs and MPPs, demanding prohibition be 
repealed and regulation be implemented immediately.

Russell Barth,

Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Elaine