LEGALIZE AND REGULATE POT TO SOLVE THE DRUG PROBLEM

Re: Seven plead guilty in $1M pot bust, The Standard, Nov. 18.

Now, why would anyone ever turn to growing an explicitly illegal plant
for financial gain? How about because it's easy money you won't get
taxed on, and let's face it, it's a plant that is not too difficult to
maintain.

Now, we are all familiar with the "War On Drugs" and the reason for
its inception. But how long must we spend our tax money and
incarcerate more people before we realize that there will never be a
drug-free society? There never has been, and never will be.

This article says that dried marijuana sells for $2,000 per .45
kilograms. This is obviously police information. These numbers are
extremely high. Just like any other business, there is going to be
competition. The police assume they will receive top dollar for all of
the product, which might not be the case -- it might not even be good
product. And guess what? Potheads care about quality, too.

It's sad that people have to revert to buying from these people,
usually involved with organized crime, and put themselves at risk. Why
can't the government step in and regulate? Should there not be a safe
place to get it? Oh, that's right, the propaganda has spread thickly.
People are afraid that everyone will just go out and sell drugs for a
quick buck.

Does every person who brews his/her own wine or beer sell it out their
back doors (I don't think the LCBO would be too happy about that)? Do
people really believe the drug problem in our society is the drugs?

I will be surprised if someone can provide me with the answers I seek.
I can't seem to find them anywhere. Not straight ones, anyway.

Calvin McCormick

St. Catharines