Pubdate: Fri, 26 Mar 2010 Source: Langley Advance (CN BC) Copyright: 2010 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.langleyadvance.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248 Author: Russell Barth LEGALIZATION WOULD STOP GANGS Dear Editor, The number one best thing we could do to thwart gangs [Business asked to stymie gangs, March 19, Langley Advance] is legalize and regulate their commodities. Pot sold in coffee shops, harder drugs sold in pharmacies and clinics, and discreet brothels to get the prostitution off the streets and reduce slavery would pretty much steal all the business away from the gangs. But cops don't want these things legalized here, because it would likely have the same effect as similar measures have had in the Netherlands, namely, a dramatic reduction in crime. And that means budget cuts and layoffs. Since crime has been dropping for over 25 years, the police are hard-pressed to justify their never-ending demands for more money and more powers of intrusion and coercion. They have to convince the public that crime is a bigger issue than it is, before someone starts asking difficult questions, like, "Why do we pay cops so much?" and, "Why do we need so many cops when crime is dropping?" and, "Why do they always need more and more power and more gadgets?" and, "Why are they lobbying with my tax dollars?" Russell Barth, Federally Licensed Medical Marijuana User - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake