RESPONSE TO WAR ON DRUGS

Tom Fletcher (BC Losing War On Drug Gangs, Jan. 13), isn't just accurately
describing the way things are; He's describing the direction things are move
too.

In the early 1970's 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 continent's
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 honoured. 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