Pubdate: Thu, 15 Oct 2009
Source: Trail Daily Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Trail Daily Times
Contact: http://www.trailtimes.ca/section/trail0301&template=letter
Website: http://www.trailtimes.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1043
Author: Herb Couch
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n930/a14.html

PROHIBITION ON MARIJUANA 'FUTILE'

Re: the Oct. 9 story, Cops Seize 14,000 Pot Plants

So what if  "the Kootenay Boundary Regional detachment's investigation
into the outdoor marijuana grow industry in the region resulted in
14,130 plants seized from 88 sites this summer."

What difference will it make?

Last year's RCMP harvest didn't stop this year's crop and this year's
RCMP harvest won't stop next year's crop.

The recent outdoor marijuana "plant seizure" efforts by the police are
glaring examples of the futility of prohibition.

Law enforcement efforts are not "stemming the tide" (or "taking a bite
out") of drugs, nor will they ever do so. It is all just an expensive
show at taxpayer expense to give the public the illusion that
something is being accomplished.

Why aren't journalists asking important questions,
like:

1) Is there evidence that these eradication efforts actually reduce
the availability of marijuana on the street?

2) What percentage of the outdoor crops are police able to
destroy?

3) How much do these annual eradication efforts cost (diverted police
resources, overtime pay, helicopter use and fuel)?

Taxpayers have a right to know the answers to these
questions.

This futile and expensive ritual will continue, year after year, until
we finally come to our senses and end cannabis prohibition.

Every major study on the cannabis issue has come to the same key conclusion
as the 2002 Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs:

"The continued prohibition of cannabis jeopardizes the health and well-being
of Canadians much more than does the substance itself." (Cannabis: Our
Position for a Canadian Public Policy, 2002 - www.SenateReport.ca )

The police need to learn that pot prohibition only supports organized
crime.

Every day that we delay the end of this corrupting, harmful policy,
the deeper the tentacles of organized crime infiltrate into our
communities! Ending cannabis prohibition is definitely in our best
interest.

Herb Couch

Nelson, B.C. 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D