MOVES TO LEGALIZE MARIJUANA, HASH MUST BE STOPPED

Editor:
An article appeared in The Lethbridge Herald Sept. 2 telling us a U.S drug
fugitive fled with his family to B.C. to avoid a jail term in California.
It says he is also facing drug charges in B.C. but has been granted the
right by Health Canada to smoke and grow huge quantities of marijuana for
medical purposes. He has applied for political refugee status, a move
similar to one made by a fellow U.S. pot refugee who also lives in the
coastal area of B.C. The U.S. has asked Immigration Canada to deport both
these U.S. refugees. Another article headlined in The Herald Sept. 5, Going
to Pot, Senate committee endorses legal use of marijuana and hash. The
highlights of the Senate committee report is recommending Canada legalize
the use of marijuana and hashish. The report goes on to say what Canada
should do, financed by taxpayers, to kick-start their findings and
recommendations. The Senate committee reasoned there is no evidence "pot"
is any more harmful to its users than alcohol. Are the Senators asleep?

Do they have any common sense? I am surprised there wasn't a big outcry
from citizens.

Are they complacent and don't care? Are they happy with these
recommendations from the Senate committee?

Is this Senate committee speaking for a democratic society?

Did we vote for them or were they appointed for their patronage and in a
dictatorial way? The federal government has heavily taxed cigarettes, put
warnings on packages and spent millions advertising the harmful effects of
tobacco smoking.

There are laws for smoke-free areas in public places.

Millions of dollars have been spent in schools and elsewhere by police on
anti-drug programs.

Laws are in place to protect young people from starting habits that will
ruin their lives and health. There was a very good, timely letter to the
editor Sept. 11 from Alf Rudd, chief of police at Stand Off and another
excellent letter Sept. 12 from Dan Paterson, RCMP Claresholm, suggesting to
legalize "pot" is lacking common sense. Come on, Herald readers, give law
enforcement officers your support and voice your concerns against the
legalization of a mind-altering drug. They are asking for support in
protecting our children. The Senate suggested this drug be controlled by
government, selling it in government stores, a government growing and
distribution system, taxes, etc. Can't you visualize the bureaucratic mess
Canada would be in if the Liberal Senators and their Ottawa clique were to
pass legislation legalizing pot? Their laws could not be enforced. It is
time for Canadians to have a say in decisions that adversely effect public
health and the well-being and recommendations to clear the high priced
patronage appointed upper house and return to a common sense true
democracy. According to House Leader Don Boudria, the Liberals still have
this issue on the agenda so I would hope Canadians would wake up before it
is too late, or should we be content with the amusing circus in Ottawa?

Glen B. Michelson

Lethbridge