ONTARIO SHOULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT MENACE OF MARIJUANA

So far this year, London police and RCMP officers have conducted more
than 80 raids on illegal marijuana growers within the city, and seized
tens of millions of dollars worth of plants. Other municipalities
across the province are in the throes of a similar law-enforcement
struggle.

Is it time, then, to give up on the war on drugs? Should Parliament
and the Ontario legislature now frankly acknowledge that at least in
the case of marijuana, prohibition for recreational use is plainly not
working?

Most definitely not. Marijuana is not harmless. Despite the contrary
claims of infatuated pot heads, there is overwhelming scientific
evidence that cannabis is no less dangerous to life and health than
alcohol and tobacco.

Perhaps so, some might argue, but alcohol and tobacco are legally
produced and sold. Why not marijuana as well? Why should the Ontario
government forgo the huge revenues it could gain by taxing and selling
marijuana through government-controlled outlets like the LCBO?

The answer is, or should be, obvious: Addiction to alcohol and tobacco
ruins the life and health of tens of thousands of Canadians every
year. No legislator with a prudent regard for the health and wellbeing
of Canadians would compound these problems by legalizing marijuana