Pubdate: Fri, 21 Jan 2011
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2011 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Robert Sharpe
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v11/n033/a01.html

MARIJUANA IS NOT A CRIMINAL ISSUE

Editor:

Re: "More tools needed" (Editorial, Jan. 14).

Hazardous marijuana grow operations and the violence they bring to
communities are direct results of marijuana prohibition. Legitimate
farmers do not steal electricity to grow produce in the basements of
rented homes. If legal, growing marijuana would be less profitable
then farming tomatoes. The drug war distorts market forces such that
big money grows on little trees.

Canadian policy makers should ignore the reefer madness hysteria of
the U.S. and instead look to their own Senate for guidance.

In the words of Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, "Scientific evidence
overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is substantially less harmful
than alcohol and should be treated not as a criminal issue but as a
social and public health issue."

Robert Sharpe, MPA, policy analyst, Common Sense for Drug Policy 
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake