REGULATE CANNABIS

Editor, The News:

Re: B.C. losing war on drug gangs (B.C. Views, Jan. 14).

Tom Fletcher isn't just accurately describing the way things are; he's
describing the direction things are move too.

In the early 1970s, the Le Dain Commission's report along with
Canada's 2002, Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs report unanimously
recommended to regulate cannabis (marijuana) the same way as alcohol.

Since Canada ignored those recommendations, the problems associated
with prohibiting the relatively safe, socially acceptable, God-given
plant cannabis have escalated.

And it's not limited to Canada; look at what's happening in the U.S.
and Mexico.

Millions of North Americans have utter contempt for the continents
discredited cannabis laws, which are nothing more than government
subsidized discrimination.

Millions of North Americans demand cannabis and one way or the other
that demand will be honored. Cannabis will be cultivated and it will
increase rather than decrease.

Except for those who profit, nearly every person who uses cannabis
would prefer to acquire it from regulated sources, but all will
purchase it in the black market if necessary.

It's just a matter of who consumers give their money
to.

Right now consumers are ready, willing, able and eager to give it to
regulated sources, along with its share of taxes to government.

But if government doesn't want it?

The money is changing hands either way.

Stan White

Dillon, Colorado