SMALL AMOUNTS OF WEED SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED

Dear Editor:

I would like to correct Mr. Dale Shudra's statement in his April 15th
letter to The Pioneer about my views on marijuana.

I have never at any time indicated that marijuana should be legalized.
What I have said as a candidate during previous federal elections, and
continue to say now, is that possession of small amounts of marijuana
for personal use should be decriminalized. It is a fine distinction
but an important one.

The prohibition against alcohol in the 1920s was a dismal failure. An
unintended consequence of prohibition was the rise in the price of
bootleg alcohol due to public demand. The rise in price brought
organized crime and street violence.

The Conservative's National Anti-Drug Strategy also has the unintended
consequence of keeping marijuana profitable enough to attract
organized crime. That involvement then leads to violent crime
throughout our society.

If you want to reduce organized crime violence and redirect valuable
police resources to focus on hard drugs and other crime, drop the
price of marijuana by decriminalizing possession of small amounts for
personal use.

Finally, the single most important gateway drug is alcohol, not
marijuana.

Brent Bush

Independent candidate, Kootenay-Columbia