Pubdate: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 Source: Nelson Daily News (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Nelson Daily News Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/288 Author: Robert Leggett Note: The newspaper does not have an active website. POT ADVOCATES DON'T SURPRISE To the Editor: It is not surprising that local marijuana advocates would be against the new federal crime bill that takes a hard line against drug offenses. They would like us to believe that the mandatory sentences it proposes will do everything from raise the prison population to increase prostitution. Yet, they seem to forget that this legislation is only imposing tougher penalties to laws that already exist and force judges to apply more suitable sentences. They vilify this new legislation because it moves them farther away from their goal of legalization which in itself is a failed ideal. Unless we are willing to legalize all drugs in any amount, for any person, at any time there will be crime. Am I to believe that with the legalization of marijuana, the black market will suddenly no longer have a need for crack or meth? And if all drugs are legalized how does the meth head pay for his drugs? Since I have yet to meet a meth head or crack head capable of holding down a job, I would doubt that he is working and would still have to obtain his money illegally. Canadians are frustrated by the revolving door justice system and for years (and) have been calling for changes in the sentencing of criminals that think of their sentences as a cost of doing business. This new legislation along with the youth violence bill and bill C-2 proposed by the Conservatives will remove some of the discretion of the judges who view the rehabilitation of offenders more important than the rights of law abiding citizens. It would only be those that are breaking these laws that would have a problem with more suitable sentences. Robert Leggett, Castlegar, B.C. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek