LEGALIZE AND REGULATE POT

RE "HAZARDS of a job" by Mark Bonokoski (Nov. 5): The sooner the feds
wriggle their way out from under America's thumb and get pot
production, distribution and sale into a regulated framework, the
sooner all the problems with illegal grow-ops will dry up and
disappear. I'm looking forward to the proposed decriminalization bill
dying with Jean Chretien's departure. Decriminalizing small-time
possession will only increase its use among young people and increase
the motivation for gangs to set up grow houses to meet the demand.
It's time to let a regulated industry grow the stuff with proper rules
for safety. It's time to leave distribution to Dutch-style "coffee
shops" or the LCBO - places that can demand ID and enforce age
restrictions. Why should grow-ops cost taxpayers hundreds of millions
in policing when government could instead be earning millions in tax
revenue?

Jack Cartier

Toronto

(A question more and more people are asking)