FIRST STEP IS TO LEGALIZE POT

To the editor:

The thing about Allan Rock's so-called "moving forward on medical
marijuana regulation," as Robert Sharpe claims in his letter to the
editor last Sunday, is if Health Canada's regulations are described as
"moving forward," it is only because the government is at such a
disgraceful policy position to begin with.

Why are compassion clubs persecuted by the RCMP? Wine, beer and
spirits are regulated by the government, for instance. Yet those who
choose to ferment their own beer and wine need no "regulatory
approval" of Health Canada, the justice system or the medical
establishment. What kind of "approval" is required to obtain
over-the-counter drugs from a pharmacy?

Marijuana Drug Law Reform is about the right to grow and use a safe,
effective and palliative herb - cannabis indica and cannabis sativa.
Legalize and regulate simultaneously, otherwise a gross miscarriage of
justice remains in force. It's called Prohibition.

Repeal the oppressive laws first, then a decent, fair and practical
"regulatory model" can proceed.

David d'Apollonia, Dartmouth