TIME TO DEMYTHIFY POT

Re: "Glaring spotlight" (Letters, by Jim Bettencourt, CN&R, Nov. 20):

Why do people believe that crime resulting from drug use today is a
result of the drugs and not the fact that the usage and sale are
illegal? Most drugs are cheap to produce; even more so when you
remove the legal barriers in place today. The profits that are made
from the drug trade are almost purely due to the fact it is illegal.

As such, the motive behind the sale and manufacture is in fact
created by the same laws intended to protect us from drugs. The idea
that this is what has happened is well supported by alcohol
prohibition. Banning booze created an entire new way to make money
from alcohol importation and sales.

Also, many deaths from drugs are due to the user not being aware of
what they are in fact consuming. The environment, strength and
content of the drugs can be unknown to the user. Further, the
illegality of drugs makes seeking treatment much more difficult for
any addict to seek.

I personally do not use, but I believe that it is any person's choice
if they wish to, and that the government has zero business being
involved in the regulation of drugs. There already are laws to punish
murder, theft, all very heinous acts. Why do we feel that drugs make
them any worse? Is there a less awful way to do these things, some
consideration that negates some of the act?

Stephen Talley

Durham