CANADA CANNOT LEGALIZE POT UNTIL U.S. DOES

As long as marijuana remains illegal in the U.S., it is Pollyannaish to
believe that it can be legalized in Canada (Bust or back off, May 12). The
disparity in size between our two countries dictates the agenda of law
enforcement here, whether we like it or not. The huge demand for illegal
drugs south of the border alone is temptation enough to inspire illegal
grow-ops in B.C. To assume legalizing marijuana will reduce the number of
these illegal sites is naive.

Smuggling the crop south is too tempting given the large sums of money that
can be earned by enterprising growers and sellers. However, distribution of
the crop involves forging links with organized crime groups and individuals
with shady reputations. Money earned will be smuggled back into Canada and
laundered, with no taxes paid. Do we really want a country where our
neighbours are profiting from the proceeds of criminal activities , while
we play by the rules and fall behind.

Proponents of legalization paint a benign picture of the effects of the
drug. They sound remarkably like certain cigarette company executives
several years ago, don't you think? It's time to stop dreaming that
legalizing a problem will make it go away. Strict enforcement and stiffer
sentencing are not the best solutions, but they are the better solution.

Michael Jung

Vancouver