I would like to comment on Jenn Gearey's letter Sunday, Dec. 29 about the federal government's marijuana policies. She stated that the federal government, including Minister Peter MacKay, has been clear: We will not decriminalize or legalize marijuana. These drugs are illegal because of the harmful effects they have on users and on society. Can she, or anyone else for that matter, tell me what medical benefits cigarettes have, besides death? Why are doctors not prescribing cigarettes to patients to treat the wide variety of ailments that pot does. Yes, it is used as a recreational drug that is where it began and it was discovered that it has some medical benefits about it. But you always have good and bad with everything. In this case the good side of pot outweighs the reasons you use to keep it illegal. Now is the time to research pot for other medical uses. Now is not the time to run away from it. My advice to the federal government is to just admit there is no real reason! to keep pot illegal except fear of voter repercussions and some militant police personnel. The economic benefits are huge, the spin off jobs, the tax money that it would generate would help the country as a whole. At least Justin is man enough to admit to having a toke.

Mike Griffith

(The Tories don't take their cues from Justin.)

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If there's only one thing I dislike about the Conservatives, it's their attitude toward marijuana. Jenn Gearey's letter on behalf of Peter MacKay says the drug is illegal because of the harmful effects on users and society. That was exactly the same reasoning for the prohibition of alcohol in the 1930s. The letter says making the drug legal would make it more available to children. Making alcohol legal did not make it more available to children. The letter says criminal justice and policing systems have been improved to protect families and communities. Was this not also the case during prohibition? I support the Conservatives, but for this. It is an unreasonable policy, and it should be changed by the Conservatives, not the Liberals.

David J. Still

(Not sure stealing Justin Trudeau's only policy would serve the Conservatives well.)

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RE: 'Sex, drugs, Cons and polls.'

I sure hope the Harper government won't make policies on legalization of marijuana and prostitution based on public opinion polls. There is more downside than upside on both issues. Marijuana legalization would lead to more young people trying this harmful narcotic. Taking prostitutes off the street and putting them in brothels rather than protecting them, may leave them at the mercy of their pimps out of the public eye. In both cases, organized crime will gain a stronghold. This has happened in every country where legalization has been tried.

Larry Comeau

(Sadly, leadership-by-public-opinion is the flavour of the day.)

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