Pubdate: Thu, 30 Jan 2014
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Copyright: 2014 David Reid
Contact:  http://www.winnipegsun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: David Reid
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

POT MYTHS

The war on drugs, especially marijuana, has been an abject failure.
Larry Comeau, in his letter, states Obama is being irresponsible by
claiming pot is no more harmful than alcohol. I agree, alcohol kills
at least 6,000 Canadians every year, marijuana, zero. Another fallacy,
brought on by the anti-pot faction, is the "stepping stone drug" myth.
I contend most teens drink alcohol, or smoke tobacco, before they try
marijuana. Another point the naysayers ignore is through legalization,
comes taxation. The estimates, from B.C., put the value of marijuana
cultivation, at $2-$10 billion dollars, making it one of B.C.'s top
three industries. All that tax, could be used to fix our crumbling
infrastructure, and prop up our failing health care system. We spend
at least $400 million dollars a year, fighting this ridiculous war,
while close to 60% of Canadians agree it's time to rethink our
strategy concerning incarceration versus addiction treatment. If you
don't believe that we can fi! nd a viable solution to this dilemma,
look no further than Portugal, and what they have discovered, since
they ended this un-winnable and costly war.

David Reid

(Canada will watch closely what is happening with legal pot in
Colorado.)
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D