MPS OFF-BASE ON MARIJUANA LAWS

To the Editor,

Regarding MPs hold breath on marijuana - Sept. 19, I disagree.

Contrary to what MPs James Lunney and Reed Elley think, decriminalization
would not address the problems inherent with prohibition.

Lucrative residential marijuana grow-ops, which produce millions of dollars
annually for organized crime, are a product of prohibition. Cannabis usage
will continue. Only government regulation via legalization, licensing and
taxation can accomplish "taking the profit motive out of this," as Elley
puts it.

Decriminalization could not accomplish that, nor would it be its intent. The
Senate report is a well-researched and substantial document that bears
serious consideration.

I urge all to read the summary report available at:
www.parl.gc.ca/37/1/parlbus/commbus/senate/com-e/ille-e/rep-e/summary-e.htm

Cannabis policy implementation could be relegated to the provinces which, in
turn, could implement policy according to provincial standards already in
place.

Wayne Phillips,
Nanaimo