LETTER OF THE DAY

Constitution Takes A Back Seat

Re "Blood samples to help smoke out doped-up drivers" (April 27): Mr.
Toews' assertion that decriminalizing marijuana will lead to increased
consumption is a lark. How could consumption possibly be increased beyond
the record-breaking levels we have seen under the current
non-decriminalized environment?

If anything, legal rules, regulations, and education -- not simply
decriminalization and increased penalties -- are the way to reduce
consumption and impaired-driving rates.

Police already have all the tools they need to detect and arrest impaired
drivers, but in the post-9/11 world, does anyone even notice when the
Constitution takes a back seat to police powers? The Canadian Bar
Association -- which has criticized Mr. Cotler's proposed legislation --
has it right: Only fools rush in.

Jody Pressman

Fill the Hill

Event Co-ordinator

(Have the Liberals ever rushed anything related to drug legislation?)