WHY CLOG THE COURTS WITH MINOR DRUG CASES?

Re: Grow-op sentencing story published Nov. 20

Am I missing something here? I am referring to the story of the Minto
man who was charged and sentenced rather harshly for simple
possession and growing of a few pot plants.

Was this guy a drug kingpin who the police and the courts nailed
because they couldn't find the main stash or his elaborate distribution ring?

I don't believe simple possession or growing of small quantities of
the famous herb should result in incarceration or fines.

It is the law, of course, but the law is wrong and needs updating. I
understand in this province we are extremely conservative about our
drugs. As the folk singer/activist Todd Snider's song says, the
problem is, "it's not necessarily what drugs we are on, but whose."

The alcohol and tobacco companies have a big influence on our society
and, in turn, our governments, which generate huge sums of money
through taxes. There is no doubt as to which two of the three cause
the biggest problems to our health and well being.

If we continue to ignore that fact, then let's legalize the weed to
fall in under the booze and smokes category and double our tax revenues.

In my opinion, marijuana and its derivatives have never been a
problem. My first contact was 42 years ago, most of my friends
certainly smoked it, and some still do.

I haven't been a regular user for 25 years, but I certainly don't
begrudge anyone else using it. I know people in every walk of life
that either have or still do. We still don't seem to buy into the
idea that it is the addictive behavior of some people that causes the
problems, and if we really want to remove the source of temptation,
then it all has to go - the booze, smokes and the weed.

That isn't going to happen, so legalize the damn stuff and
concentrate on clearing the rest of the street drugs that kill or
destroy lives. It will be money well spent.

Our police officers have more than enough to do; it's a waste of
resources that are thin and expensive. The court systems are
backlogged with important cases, Why deal with prosecutions for small
quantities of marijuana?

Richard Cleveland

Rusagonis, N.B.