Pubdate: Thu, 24 Nov 2011 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2011 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html Website: http://www.theprovince.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Page: A12 FORMER MAYORS SHOW REAL WISDOM ON POT Could it be that Canadian politicians are finally going to have an intelligent conversation about whether marijuana should be legalized? Wednesday's call by four former Vancouver mayors for an end to cannabis prohibition suggests that the country is finally going to have that long-awaited and desperately needed public policy debate. As Sam Sullivan, Mike Harcourt, Larry Campbell and Philip Owen "" politicians from the left, right and centre "" say in their call for Canadian politicians to speak out against prohibitions, the criminalization of the pot trade is a "oefailed policy" that is "oecreating violent, gang-related crime in our communities and fear among our citizens, and adding financial costs for all levels of government at a time when we can least afford them." While using marijuana can have health consequences, they are much less serious than many legal products and there are many ways in which the plant can benefit consumers. Here's hoping other politicians show as much bravery and wisdom as the former mayors in pushing cannabis from a violent, unregulated market to one that is regulated and taxed. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart