PROHIBITIONISTS LOSING LEGAL DEBATE

To the Editor,

Re: Legalizing pot isn't appropriate answer, Letters, Jan. 7.

The prohibitionists arguments against legalizing and regulating
cannabis, as seen in Raegan Eisfeld's letter, have become laughable.

We have seen prohibitionists try scare tactics (reefer madness),
puritan ethics (just say no), totally unscientific claims (cannabis is
addictive and is a gateway drug) and outright oppression through
imprisoning fellow citizens whose 'crime' hurt no one else, including
themselves.

Now we see a final frontier of the truly desperate in their losing
struggle: legalizing cannabis won't hurt gangs as they will find
something else to do.

This argument is patently ridiculous.

Cannabis is an easy-to-produce, easy-to-move, and easy-to-sell drug
with a huge North American market.

In other words, it is the light, sweet, crude oil of the drug world
with low investment, low risk, high return.

Removing this easiest source of income from gangs will drastically
impact their financial capacities.

Eisfeld then asks whether we should legalize all activities the police
cannot combat. The answer is no, and her ignorance is abundantly clear.

Cannabis should be legalized because it is relatively harmless and is
a potent and effective natural medicine.

Comparisons to B&E and rape are offensive, especially to those who
suffer in jail for imbibing a plant, and those who have suffered
through the violation of having their home or body invaded.

Whelm King

Lantzville