Pubdate: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 Source: North Bay Nugget (CN ON) Copyright: 2009 Sun Media Contact: http://www.nugget.ca/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx Website: http://www.nugget.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2226 Author: Russell Barth Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n920/a11.html?1330 POT SENTENCES DESIGNED TO INCREASE CRIME Re: Senators play games with bill,Nugget, Oct. 9 The Tory policy of imposing mandatory minimum jail sentences for growing pot is designed specifically to increase crime. The lowest hanging fruit is the easiest to pick, so the cops will be busting the dorm-closet and backyard cottage industry growers first. This will leave far more business for the heavily financed and armed gang growers. That will cause increased violence, gunplay, and gang profits. Future governments will use this inevitable increase in crime to justify even more draconian laws, increased police funding, and the building of new multi-billion-dollar jails. The question should not be why is the Senate slowing this bill down?" The real question is what kind of monster would vote for this outrageously counterproductive bill in the first place?" Russell Barth Federally licensed medical marijuana user Nepean, Ont. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D