U.S. IS BLOWING SMOKE ON THREATS ABOUT POT

David Murray, a special assistant in the U.S. Office of National Drug
Control Policy, warns of long border lineups if Canada decriminalizes or
legalizes pot (Canada's drug policy draws U.S. warning, May 2). I think not.

While more than 80 per cent of Canadian exports go to the U.S., 25 per cent
of U.S. goods are exported to Canada. Most American corporations have
branch plants in Canada. Canada represents the profit margin for a
substantial number of corporations.

Now where do you think these corporations will put there money in the next
U.S. election if Bush and Co. eliminate their profits for the sake of a
weed? The Democrats, of course.

The Republican majority in the U.S. can not survive a trade war over
marijuana. Also, we have raw materials that the U.S. needs. Americans are
out of oil. They need our water. They have 350 million people who need our
resources.

Mr. Murray should think about exhaling now. He is starting to sound like
Iraq's former information minister.

Chuck Beyer

Victoria