LEGALIZE POT, CONTROL DRUGS

Editor, The News:

Regarding the Jan. 25 front-page article in the Abbotsford News ('Ottawa
going to pot?'):

Abbotsford school trustees will write to the federal government, expressing
concern about last month's announcement that Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon plans to have possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana decriminalized.

Trustee Uultsje DeJong tabled the motion, saying 30 grams of cannabis can
make 40 to 50 joints.

"Thirty grams is more than a person needs for personal use," said DeJong.
"I do believe it is a gateway drug."

Please note that cigarettes are regularly sold by the carton (200
cigarettes) and beer by the case (12 or 24).

These standard amounts are far more than what is usually consumed in a
single day, yet no restrictions are placed on buying multiple cartons of
cigarettes or multiple cases of beer.

If the school trustees of Abbotsford are truly concerned about children,
teenagers and drugs, then they should push for full government regulation
and legalization.

It is currently much easier for teenagers to obtain illicit drugs than to
obtain alcohol and cigarettes.

Legalization would bring these drugs (i.e. marijuana) under control.

Derek Snider

Toronto