Pubdate: Fri, 24 Feb 2012
Source: North Shore News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 North Shore News
Contact:  http://www.nsnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/311
Author: Nicholas M. Pescod

INQUIRING REPORTER

How do you feel about Canada's approach to marijuana?

In recent weeks, some respected voices in the criminal justice system,
including four former B.C. attorneys general, have written to Ottawa
demanding an end to marijuana prohibition. Like other activists, they
argue that our current laws and the stiffer penalties being brought in
by the Conservatives accomplish little beyond filling jails and
feeding a violent drug trade. But supporters of tough-on-crime
legislation say all drugs, marijuana included, are too dangerous to
decriminalize. Is Canada taking the right approach to this issue? -
Nicholas M. Pescod

Steve Schwabl, North Vancouver: There is too much money being wasted on 
(enforcement). It's hypocritical because of the attitudes towards 
alcohol and tobacco.

Katy Bridges, North Vancouver: It's kind of a civil rights issue, I 
don't think the government should be able to decide what people can and 
can't put into they're bodies.

Jake Meadows, North Vancouver: Stephen Harper's new crime bill is 
stupid. I think that handing out sentences that are (the same for) both 
pedophiles and marijuana users is ridiculous.

Willow Borman, North Vancouver: I can understand why they are illegal; 
you don't want a bunch of little kids running around getting high, but 
it does have it's medicinal purposes.

Evan Johnson, North Vancouver: I think it should be legalized or 
decriminalized. . . . We saw that the prohibition of alcohol failed. . . 
. We should probably just move on.
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MAP posted-by: Matt