GOVERNMENT COULD PROFIT FROM SALES

THE RECENT comment by Connie Woodcock on placing marijuana on the shelves
next to vodka reflects the unconscionable profits of bootlegging the drug
on the street. Billions of dollars are earned by what is now the criminal
element. It's rather stupid of the government to forgo the huge revenues
that would accrue from legitimate sales.

When will we finally learn that prohibition is nothing but a bonanza for
the criminal element?High tobacco taxes are similar to prohibition.
Accordingly, I must congratulate the legislature of Alberta and the
government of Canada who, with the strong support of ASH, have forced the
development of a smuggling ring of immense proportions, sending millions of
dollars to the criminal element. How smart is it to make all that money for
criminals in some wild attempt to stop or slow down smoking? Can you
imagine the utter stupidity of a whole nation undergoing a huge rise in the
cost-of-living index because of tobacco taxes? The criminal element must be
cheering for ASH and the foolish government tobacco taxes.

Julian Kinisky

(Imagine if everyone quit smoking.)