FALSE ARGUMENT

I've been involved with drug reform for more than 12 years and I've
never heard anyone on our side claim that legalizing marijuana would
eliminate all crime (Argument gone to pot, South Delta Leader, March
20, 2009).

What has been said is that all the crime connected to marijuana
prohibition will end with legalization.

Those who oppose legalizing marijuana evidently favor leaving
criminals in charge of a highly profitable marijuana market with all
of the crime that entails.

Repealing Alcohol Prohibition did not end ALL gang crime, but ending
the war on booze did cut the United States's murder rate by more than
50 per cent for several decades.

The lack of respect for authority engendered by Alcohol Prohibition
caused a rise in every kind of crime during the 1920s.

The general crime rate also decreased after repeal.

It's worth remembering that there hasn't been a bombing or a shoot out
over a beer route since 1933.

Ralph Givens

Daly City, CA