U.S. DIDN'T CONSULT US ON PROHIBITION

With regard to the May 15 article on the prime minister backing the
decriminalization of marijuana, "We're right to be different from the U.S.:
Chretien":

After F. D. Roosevelt took office as U.S. president in 1933, the majority of
the 48 states voted on a constitutional amendment decriminalizing the
production and sale of alcohol. Did the Canadian minister in Washington make
representations at the time? Did anyone from the U. S. cabinet arrive in
Canada to reassure us that nothing bad would happen? Why, then, did Justice
Minister Martin Cauchon go to Washington? Why is U.S. Ambassador Paul
Cellucci issuing dire warnings?

We didn't have prohibition as such in Canada (although as recently as 35
years ago, liquor was available in P.E.I. only by a doctor's prescription),
but we depended on millions of thirsty Americans crossing the border every
year to have a Molson or a Black Horse - not to mention Canadian Club. The
economic impact could have been shattering.

Our bootlegging industry survived (don't bootleggers always survive?), and
some bootleggers even gained respectability as philanthropists and business
leaders.

Does Paul Cellucci have any grasp of history - even his own? Why does he
resist the coalition of the willing pot-smoking nations?

Edward W. Barrett

Montreal