DRUG SMUGGLING CANNOT BE STOPPED

Re: Rules for cannabis, (Aug. 17). "U.S. authorities will need reassurance
that Canada will not become a haven for criminal gangs smuggling marijuana
into the U.S."

You're kidding, right? There is no way on God's green Earth we can stop it.
If it weren't for Canada's "criminal gangs" smuggling alcohol into the
U.S., Seagrams would never have been born.

Alan Randell
Victoria

Studies Indicate Cannabis Smokers Safer

"Cannabis is a mind-altering drug; it is dangerous to operate heavy
machinery or drive under its influence" said the editorial Rules for cannabis.

If that statement were true there would be a lot more traffic and
industrial accidents than we presently see. Comparably, motorists are in
far more danger from drivers distracted by cell phones or drivers who lack
proper rest and get behind the wheel. There are peer-reviewed driving
studies that proved cannabis smokers were actually safer than those who are
high on life.

See http://www.trl.co.uk/detr/abstracts/477.htm or
http://www.reconsider.org/issues/drug_testing/fit_for_duty_or_is_it.htm or
http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/

Chris Buors
Winnipeg

Marijuana Tourism Will Offset Lumber Duty

Your editorial Rules for cannabis (Aug. 17) regarding the current fiasco on
medical marijuana in Canada makes eminent sense. As long ago as the 2000
Liberal convention in Ottawa, the federal Liberal party, on an initiative
from Alberta was calling for decriminalization of marijuana. I am pleased
to see that many Canadians now see the sense in this -- at least. It is
bound to be legalized sooner or later.

What is missing from much of the debate, however, is a discussion of why it
was made illegal in the first place. It was racism and xenophobia generated
in the U.S. In Canada, this insanity was taken up by Judge Emily Murphy of
Edmonton. Most Canadians at the time hadn't a clue what it was but images
of "reefer madness" induced Parliament to make it illegal.

Now we know much better. But the U.S. administration, particularly through
the Drug Enforcement Agency doesn't. Your comment that U.S. authorities
will need assurance that Canada will not become a haven for criminal gangs
smuggling marijuana into the U.S. prompts me to ask why we should be
seeking U.S. approval for anything. Holland did not seek the permission of
Germany before liberalizing its treatment of marijuana. Most of Europe is
now following its example.

May I make a modest proposal. We legalize marijuana and issue licences to
the entrepreneurs across the country to grow, distribute and sell it. We
provide it in regulated small quantities to all of our duty-free shops in
every part of the country.

Our income from the flood of American tourists will more than offset our
losses in the current softwood lumber dispute. It's time for our
politicians to play hardball with Washington. As our biggest friend and
neighbour, don't we owe it to them to give a friendly nudge in the
direction of greater sanity?

Brian L. Fish
Edmonton