'Legalize, regulate and educate'

On Saturday, March 3, 2008, cannabis users around the world gathered
together to peacefully protest unjust cannabis laws. Reportedly,
almost 30,000 gathered at Queen's Park in Toronto, despite the rain.
Not so surprisingly, not one incident was reported, not one arrest was
made.

Contrast that with the local pubs in our city on a typical Friday
night, where fights and general nastiness are common occurrences and
eat up police resources. Does anyone see the irony here?

Our government is poised to enact minimum sentences for many cannabis
offences. We are prepared to put many of our citizens in jail for
victimless offences. We will saddle our citizens with criminal records
that could follow them for the rest of their lives. Otherwise
law-abiding citizens will lose their jobs, maybe their children and
most assuredly, their freedom if Bill C26 is enacted.

Do we really want to follow the failed U.S. war on drugs and have one
in every 100 of our citizens in jail?

Let's stop this madness now. Just say no to Bill C26.

Legalize, regulate and educate.

Cheryl MacLellan

e-mail