GOOD FOR BERTON

Re: Beavis and Berton, Shinan Govani, June 23.

Bravo to Pierre Berton for "coming out" as a cannabis user. As a
police officer and a proud activist against the drug wars, it's
refreshing to see a Canadian icon normalize the responsible use of one
of the most innocuous psychoactive drugs known to mankind. It's time
all like-minded Canadians speak out against our failed drug policies.

I am amazed and dismayed at the amount of taxpayers' money spent on
enforcing marijuana laws, while units investigating child abuse, sex
assaults and homicides are woefully underfunded.

If we truly believed that the criminal justice system should protect
us from ourselves, why then is it not illegal to eat at fast-food
restaurants, sunbathe, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or go outside
without mosquito repellent?

I was surprised when the Fraser Institute recently endorsed the
legalization and regulation of marijuana, albeit to generate a
substantial tax-base, and to take the distribution of an obviously
mainstream drug out of the hands of organized crime.

Let's end the "Reefer Madness" and stop punishing people for wanting
to exercise their right to procure and use the drug of their choice.

Cheryl MacLellan

Woodstock, Ont.