Pubdate: Thu, 17 May 2012
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: E.W. Bopp

THE MYTHS OF ENDING MARIJUANA PROHIBITION

Re: "Eight mayors echo call for marijuana reform."

Hallelujah! After four former B.C. attorneys general have joined four
former Vancouver mayors endorsing an end to marijuana prohibition,
eight sitting B.C. mayors have now "echoed" the clarion call for
marijuana reform.

Legalize, regulate and tax 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 #1: Legalization will drive the crime rate down.

Myth #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 join Surrey Mayor
Dianne Watts in challenging them to provide us with a view of whatever
"reality" they are coming from.

E.W. Bopp,

Tsawwasssen
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MAP posted-by: Matt