Pubdate: Wed, 08 Apr 2009 Source: Goldstream Gazette (Victoria, CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Black Press Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/vvfJCciY Website: http://www.goldstreamgazette.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1291 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) DEBATE NEEDED ON DRUG LAWS Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca MP Keith Martin has introduced a bill to decriminalize marijuana. It's a good way to revive the forgotten debate on Canada's drug laws but sadly little else. If the bill were actually passed (which is unlikely) it would make two plants or small personal amounts of pot like drinking beer on the street - subject to a fine and a lecture from police, which is more or less the approach now. Decriminalization would do little to combat the real problem, namely violent drug gangs getting rich while spreading mayhem and death close to home. The war on drugs is an "abysmal failure," Martin says, and he is right. Recent high-profile busts have taken loads of cocaine, weapons and major dealers off Greater Victoria streets. In January Canadian military was involved in busting a submarine with seven tonnes of cocaine heading north from South America. But despite the hard work of law enforcement on the West Shore, across the region and across the country, it's not hard to purchase any drug in any urban environment. Every successful but dangerous police bust can remove bad elements of society for a while, but often they are cut loose with a slap on the wrist or others just fill the niche. The harder the police squeeze, the higher street prices go. The end result is that illegal drugs reward those ready to use violence and who don't fear repercussions from any law. In early March, The Economist magazine argued eloquently the war on drugs has been "illiberal, murderous and pointless," while legalizing all drugs "is the least bad policy." If talk of decriminalizing pot causes nervous hand-wringing from politicians, police and citizens, Canada and the U.S. are probably not ready to free the whole enchilada. But Martin is right to point out existing laws are ineffective. Constant bloodshed on the Mainland bears that out all too well. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin