SEED SELLER AND SENATOR STIR THE POT IN THE DEBATE ABOUT ILLEGAL DRUGS

Re: Canada shirks its duty in Prince of Pot case, Editorial, Jan. 16

This editorial got the point exactly right: Canada has exposed its
feckless and incoherent approach to drug enforcement. When laws are
enforced inconsistently and therefore unfairly, citizens become
contemptuous of the law and of the government -- very unhealthy for a
democracy. Add to this the obvious fact that, in this case, the
Canadian government has allowed another government to dictate judgment
and (overly harsh) sentence, and we are all left with a very ugly
taste in the mouth.

Marc Emery was allowed to carry on with his marijuana seed
distribution business because the Canadian authorities know the public
does not regard the activity as a crime nor the end use of the weed as
particularly harmful. If it weren't for pressure from the U.S., Canada
would have decriminalized pot possession and selling seeds years ago.
It is time for Canada to reclaim its justice system, expel the U.S.
Drug Enforcement Administration officials from Canadian soil, pardon
Emery, and proceed with long-overdue liberalization of its drug
control laws.

Charles Marxer

White Rock