Pubdate: Fri, 24 Feb 2012
Source: Burnaby Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.burnabynow.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1592
Author: E.W. Bopp
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n138/a08.html

LEGALIZATION NOT A MAGIC SOLUTION

Dear Editor:

Re: Is it finally time to legalize pot?, Editor's Letter, by Pat 
Tracy, Burnaby NOW, Feb. 17.

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 "finally" 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:

- - Myth No. 1: Legalization will drive the crime rate down.

- - Myth No. 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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