WHY NOT?

Your recent remark to letter writer Dave Lane's comment that, "The
only way to eliminate black market dealers who sell drugs to minors is
to legalize and regulate drug sales" was "It's not going to happen."
Why not? Opposition from the U.S. to Canadian proposals to reform
cannabis laws is fading. Thirteen U.S. states have decriminalized
possession and some states are considering legalization. The U.S. is
moving forward while Canada is moving backwards under Prime Minister
Stephen Harper. Two-thirds of Canadians support decriminalization and
more than half support legalization. That's impressive for an issue
you think is "not going to happen." Even criminologist Darryl Plecas
believes cannabis will be legalized. The Harper government considers
cracking down part of its "mandate." Under Harper, cannabis arrests
have gone up by 10%, reaching a record of 80,061 in 2008. Maybe you
should revise your parenthetical remark to, "It's not going to happen
. under a Conservative government."

Herb Couch

(Grits will be gutless, NDP can't win. Thus the cynicism.)