MP MISSES POINT ON POT LEGALIZATION

Editor:

Nanaimo MP Reed Elley has missed the biggest point of the Senate report on
legalization of marijuana ("Elley pans pot plan" Sept. 24).

It says decisions on marijuana, because it is less harmful than alcohol or
tobacco, should be devolved to the provinces. So, regulation is really not a
federal decision.

Once marijuana is a provincial regulatory function, the rules in regard to
age, sales and driving may be different in each province.

The federal government has no more business in marijuana jurisdiction than
it has regarding alcohol and tobacco. It should be the exclusive
jurisdiction of the provinces to regulate and tax.

Marijuana prohibition is a power grab by the federal government over the
Provinces that should not exist. Unfortunately we have some pretty gutless
provincial politicians in power in B.C. that see no problem with such theft
of jurisdiction.

Chuck Beyer
Victoria