LEGALIZATION AN OPTION

The arrest of two men in a scheme which saw marijuana hauled into the
U.S. by helicopter is being hailed by law enforcement officials on
both sides of the border.

They say the helicopter was hauling cocaine back into Canada, after
dropping off marijuana in remote areas that were accessible by helicopter.

This is just another indication of the massive scale of drug smuggling
that goes on in this area.

In addition to marijuana being traded for cocaine, it is often used to
purchase handguns. These guns are then distributed among people
involved with the drug trade, and this has led to many murders
throughout the Lower Mainland.

There is a big "war on drugs" underway in the U.S., and to a lesser
degree, in Canada. Given the scope of criminal activity involved with
drugs, this is necessary.

However, it seems no amount of enforcement is able to put a
significant dent in drug use.

Perhaps it is time to look at the issue from an historical
perspective. When the U.S. banned alcohol in the days of prohibition
(which also occurred in Canada, but earlier and for a shorter period),
the use of alcohol did not stop. It went underground, and criminals
became involved in it because of the huge profits to be made.

While there is no justification for legalizing cocaine, heroin or
other such drugs, it might make sense to sell marijuana at government
outlets, just as was done in Canada with liquor when prohibition
ended. This ensured that the price and quality of the product was
reasonable, and took the criminal element out of the picture.

However, a comprehensive study of the effects of marijuana on health
is necessary before legalization. For example, if smoking cigarettes
is harmful to health, as we all know, how is it possible that smoking
marijuana has no negative effect on one's health over a long period of
time?

Medicinal use of marijuana is proven to have some beneficial effects,
and is legal in Canada. Perhaps it is time to consider wider
legalization.