LEGAL POT SAFER

Re: "Senators push to legalize pot," Sept. 5.

I say legalize the marijuana plant like a tobacco plant, or home-brewed
wine or beer, and let people grow their own if they wish. That would take
the power away from the pot growers and dealers who are making millions. If
they give the power back to the people, then no one will have an upper
hand, forcing biker gangs and huge illegal organizations to give up their
growing of marijuana, which is almost the price of gold per ounce. The
legal age of use for this non-toxic plant should be 18 years old.

The marijuana plant is used by roughly 20 per cent of the country's
population of people between the ages of 18 to 40. If these people could
grow their own instead of spending money that goes straight into the
wallets of black-market bikers and gangs, then imagine how much money will
be put into the actual economy every month instead.

Hopefully, if my son or daughter ever uses marijuana, they would be able to
do so without the legal implications, they would know the marijuana has not
been laced with something or grown with toxic pesticides, and they wouldn't
have to deal with people who also deal hard drugs, or the paranoia of
getting caught buying marijuana.

Richard Derek Hayhurst, Calgary