IT'S LONG OVERDUE

Legalizing Marijuana

RE: 'Legalizing pot a pipe dream' (Sept. 5).

This Spectator editorial contends that Canadians aren't ready for a step as
drastic as legalization of cannabis, arguing that such a change would make
this country's drug laws even more liberal than places like the Netherlands.

Considering that the Netherlands has one of the lowest crime rates per
capita of any democratic nation, bar none, is that such a bad thing?

It's sheer folly to continue to ignore, dismiss or misinterpret volumes of
scientific research, judicial findings, and shelved reports in order to
promote pseudo-science, flawed or contrived studies and phoney moralisms.

One has only to look south to see the stark contrasts (between America and
the Netherlands) and societal harms brought about by cannabis prohibition.

There is no credible evidence demonstrating that the prohibition of
cannabis is not detrimental to societal well-being. Canada is indeed long
overdue for reform.

Wayne Phillips, Hamilton