POT POLICY IS THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM

I was disappointed to see you devote so much space to the views of
someone supporting the criminalization of marijuana.

While I salute Alvin Powell's crusade against drugs, the threat to
public health posed by pot is no doubt trivial compared to alcohol,
tobacco and fast food, yet only in the case of marijuana do we
consider jail time a solution.

The notion that everyone would light up if pot were legal or
decriminalized is surely laughable.

As Mr. Powell notes, anyone, including young people, who want to get
their hands on pot can do so today; indeed, the fact it is forbidden
could be part of the attraction.

Surely the time has come to divert resources from the current futile
war on pot to a more worthwhile cause; for example, educating young
people on the real risks of substance abuse.

Bruce Gill

Pointe Claire