POT PROHIBITION BENEFITS ORGANIZED CRIME

To the editor:

The story on Charlotte, a local Vancouver grower, highlighted one of the
problems with cannabis prohibition ("Pot business no picnic says former
grower," Jan. 30).

The move toward increased U.S.-style enforcement has resulted in a decrease
in mom-and-pop grow-ops and the steady expansion of organized crime.
Charlotte grew cannabis the right way-safely, cleanly and without stealing
power. These types of grow operations are becoming less common because of
prohibition, which forces cultivators into disguising their electricity use
and cutting corners on safety.

If cannabis were legal and regulated, as it should be, we would take
organized crime out of the marketplace. This alone is a substantial benefit
to the province. But ending prohibition could also generate substantial tax
revenues, while dramatically reducing police, court and prison
expenditures. Legalization is a win-win scenario. Prohibition has proven to
be a loser.

Kirk Tousaw,

Campaign Manager,

British Columbia Marijuana Party,

Vancouver