Pubdate: Wed, 14 Nov 2007
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2007 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Mavis Lowry
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

TAXING LEGAL MARIJUANA A LUCRATIVE PROPOSITION

RCMP Sgt. Scott Rintoul makes a poor case for the continued 
prohibition of marijuana.

He suggests legalization means we'll give pot to our children, and 
their brains are not ready for that. He argues most folks don't use 
alcohol or smoke, so they should not have the right to use marijuana 
either -- it is addictive.

Who among those who espouse legalization of drugs has advocated 
giving it to kids? Alcohol is legal, and no one says we should give it to kids.

Tobacco and alcohol are addictive, as are many prescription drugs and 
gambling. Yet they are all legal and our governments earn millions in 
taxes from them.

Rintoul then points out that billions of dollars are being made by 
those now in the illegal marijuana industry. Well, that is the point!

Why can't our governments get their hands on that money instead of 
gangsters who shoot up our streets fighting over it?

His last ridiculous allegation was that legalization would mean the 
gangsters retain control, but with a new legal right to grow and sell 
their product. Is he suggesting owners and operators of private 
liquor stores are such people?

If Rintoul's case is all there is, we better legalize marijuana now.

Mavis Lowry

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman