FEARS ILLUSTRATE FUTILITY OF OUR DRUG LAWS

Re: "Compassion at $10 a gram" (Gazette, April 8).

The plight of Lachine residents who fear that rival drug dealers might
firebomb the Compassion Centre (which is near a pastry shop and a
daycare centre) highlights the absurdity of Canada's classification of
cannabis as an illicit substance.

The legalization and taxation of cannabis would effectively eliminate
this very lucrative and dangerous underground market, while replacing
it with legal, tax-paying businesses.

Cannabis has been proven to be safer than both alcohol and tobacco
(which are currently legal), so why not take advantage of the extra
tax revenue and allow responsible citizens to shop for cannabis in a
safe, accessible environment?

Raoul Duke

Montreal