NEW POT LAW WOULD FREE UP POLICE FOR MORE IMPORTANT CASES

Readers are in agreement with federal Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon's pledge to decriminalize pot for personal use.

Opinions expressed recently on the issue of decriminalizing pot have
created quite a stir among users and non-users.

I am among the latter; and I firmly believe decriminalization would free
up the time police currently waste busting potheads, leaving them
to go after offences that harm innocent citizens, such as homicides,
drunk driving and street racing.

What if the government regulated weed as it does liquor? It could set
up a Marijuana Control Board that could regulate the supply and the demand.

Think of the taxes it would generate; enough to keep hospitals open
and to hire extra police, enough to put our country back on track in
regards to the ever-increasing debt.

I have no problem with the idea: I'd much rather have police officers
ensuring my streets are safe than focusing their precious time on
grow-ops and small-time dealers.

Ray Lajoie,

Smithers