Pubdate: Thu, 11 Oct 2012
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Vancouver Sun
Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Rob Brandreth-Gibbs
Page: A16
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n503/a06.html

MARIJUANA PROHIBITION SERVES SOCIETY, ESPECIALLY YOUTH

Re: Pot prohibition serving only crooks, dealers, Column, Oct. 5

Barbara Yaffe writes that pot prohibition serves only crooks and
dealers. It also serves the rest of our society, especially young people.

Yaffe correctly states that pot prohibition drives up the price of
cannabis ( as confirmed by a 2010 RAND Corporation report) but she
does not go the next step.

Because drug users are sensitive to price, particularly younger ones,
lofty prices help keep use rates comparatively low. For proof look at
alcohol and tobacco use versus marijuana.

Use of the first two legal substances far surpasses use of marijuana,
a solid indication that laws reduce the availability and acceptability
of such substances.

Legalizing marijuana would lower the price and increase its use, along
with the harm it causes, thus adding to the load on our justice and
health systems.

Violent drug rings will undersell any legal price. Their pot will be
tax-free. And they will sell substitutes as necessary. Legalization
and more demand for marijuana will only add to their might and reach.
To say nothing about their B. C. bud export "business."

Tax marijuana? The costs to society of alcohol and tobacco are far
greater than the revenue they generate through taxes. ( Marijuana
contains higher levels of some toxins than found in tobacco.)

If we are to err on the question of marijuana legalization, I say we
err on the side of our kids and other Canadians who respect our laws.
And want long, healthy lives.

Rob Brandreth-Gibbs

North Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Matt