Pubdate: Fri, 24 Feb 2012
Source: South Delta Leader (Delta, CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 South Delta Leader
Contact:  http://www.southdeltaleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1241
Author: E.W. Bopp

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA A CURE ALL?

Hallelujah! Four former B.C. attorneys general have joined four 
former Vancouver mayors endorsing an end to marijuana prohibition 
and, according to an Angus Reid poll, 78 per cent of the B.C. public 
agree it's time to legalize pot.

Legalize pot and presto, gang-related violent crime in our 
communities and fear among our citizens would disappear?

But wait, that's not all. The collateral benefit of a "potted" Canada 
will be of having solved, virtually overnight, Canada's problem of 
declining tourism from south of the border and elsewhere.

Just think of the enormous tourism potential of a mass influx of 
drug-deprived folks descending on the "True North, Strong and Free 
and Legally Drugged," pouring untold millions of much-needed dollars 
into our struggling economy, with many undoubtedly wishing to stay permanently.

Indeed, that's the kind of "stimulus" (pun intended) that would 
really help us all get through these hard economic times with a "buzz."

On a less euphoric note, however, the myths and fallacies of ending 
marijuana prohibition are many. Here are just two, as outlined by the 
Canadian Police Association:

1. Legalization will drive the crime rate down.

2. Organized crime would be reduced if drugs were legalized.

While the proponents of marijuana legalization may consider the above 
mere police propaganda, I would nevertheless challenge them to 
provide us with a view of whatever reality they are coming from.

E.W. Bopp,

Tsawwassen
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