CRIMINALS WILL GAIN FROM LEGAL MARIJUANA

Re: Senators on marijuana: Smoke 'em if you got 'em, Sept. 5.

We have a committee of the unelected Senate that has no direct voter
sanction that is loonily recommending the legalization of marijuana. These
appointed members from the patronage trough live in a dream world where the
health and welfare of children and teens apparently means nothing to them.

There are good reasons why pot is illegal (and should remain so forever),
while tobacco and liquor are not:

* The high potency of today's pot is not the mild stuff of the 1960s; its
potency can easily be increased more and more;

* Anyone and his dog can easily grow and process pot in their basements to
make profits, whereas it's impractical to do so with tobacco and alcohol.
How would people like to have their neighbourhoods teeming with grow-ops,
resulting in risks of fires and crimes?

Don't think criminals would not take full advantages of legalization and
sell home-grown pots to kids, and all more cheaply than "government
marijuana stores" or your favourite local grocer. Criminals are not stupid,
but they do appreciate anything that makes their life easier.

And just when tobacco companies are suffering from the decreasing use of
tobacco products, here comes salvation from the Senate. Are they lucky or what?

Dave Inge,

Vancouver