Pubdate: Fri, 10 Apr 2009 Source: DrugSense Weekly (DSW) Website: http://www.drugsense.org LETTER OF THE WEEK LEGALIZING POT MAKES SENSE By Hendrik de Pagter Re: Martin pushes softer pot law, April 2 Good for local MP Keith Martin trying yet again, via a private member's bill, to reduce the horrific damage done by the war on drugs. Fines for possession of a small amount of marijuana, instead of criminal charges, is a step in the right direction. Victoria city councillor Philippe Lucas offers a more sensible option, the legalization and regulation of marijuana, just as alcohol and tobacco products are legal and regulated, generating tax revenue but not depriving adults of the right to consume what are well-known to be dangerous drugs ( nicotine and ethyl alcohol ) with serious impact on informed individuals and our health system. Whether or not marijuana is legalized, there will always be substance abuse. Such is human nature. Regulation is therefore needed to prevent children from accessing marijuana. The prohibition model, epitomized by the fruitless multi-decade "war on drugs," has given the world the Mafia, widespread vicious drug-gang wars, narco-states such as Afghanistan and Colombia, gross underfunding of addiction treatment and research, and global resentment of America, the world's self-appointed drug cop. Martin is right. Substance abuse ought to be a medical and social issue rather than a legal issue. Lucas points the way: legalize, regulate and tax marijuana now. Hendrik de Pagter Victoria Source: Victoria Times Copyright: 2009 Times Colonist Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n392/a08.html - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake