LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, FRASER REPORT SAYS

B.C.'s marijuana trade is so lucrative, it only makes sense to
legalize pot, says a new report from the Fraser Institute.

The report argues that pot should also be taxed, pointing out that the
pot-growing business in B.C. is worth $7 billion annually.

"It's taking place, it seems to be ubiquitous. The question is who's
really going to get the revenue from this activity," said Sean Easton,
a senior fellow at the institute who authored the report.

While the institute released the report, Easton stressed that the
views expressed are his own and not those of the institute.

Organized crime groups in B.C. are earning the revenue from marijuana
crops, he said. He compares that trade to alcohol prohibition in the
U.S. in the 1920s and early 1930s.

"We've been through this before with prohibition - we all watch
re-runs of The Untouchables and learn nothing," he said.

That said, the Simon Fraser University economics professor argues that
marijuana should be regulated in the same way as alcohol.

"I don't see why it shouldn't be treated the same," he said.

It makes more sense to treat any problems that might arise from
abusing marijuana or alcohol as medical problems, he said. Many high
school teens are going to smoke pot whether it's legal or not illegal,
Easton said.

"The fact is that every kid has access to it, that's the astounding
thing. Given that we're already presented with a fait accompli - it's
not like we're allowing this to take place - it seems reasonable that
we ought to get control of it and deal with the problems
systematically," he said.

Tax money from pot can not only treat problems associated with its
use, but other health concerns, Easton said.

Society seems clos to accepting the idea of legalizing pot, he said.
At the same time, he concedes that the U.S. will pressure the Canadian
government to keep pot illegal.

The report comes as good news to Victoria resident Ted Smith,
president of the International Hempology 101 Society.

"Financially, it's a no-brainer. We're spending billions of dollars on
a war against a plant that many of us who use it realize its medical
benefits," he said.

While Smith has concerns that if it does ever become legal should not
be so heavily regulated that small farmers won't be able to get in on
the action.