PM SHOULD MAKE MARIJUANA LEGAL

Prime Minister Jean Chretien told Paul Samyn that he might start smoking
cannabis once bill C-38 passes (Face-to-face with Chretien, Oct. 3), and
once he has, as he put it, "my money for my fine and a joint in the other
hand."

Mr. Chretien, why not just let well enough alone, and keep marijuana legal,
as courts across the country regularly throw out marijuana laws as
unconstitutional. Prime minister, you showed much courage on Iraq and the
same-sex marriage. Why not for marijuana? Why not put into a place a system
that keeps organized crime out of the picture, while maintaining safety and
quality? Why not sell marijuana in provincial liquor stores to keep it out
of the reach of children?

Many of our senior citizens use cannabis -- medically and recreationally --
to help ease daily aches and pains, and get a lift from their daily
routine. Who knows, maybe Chretien might become one of them.

TIM MEEHAN

Communications Director Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational
Cannabis Toronto