PROHIBITION OF CANNABIS IS A MISTAKE

Regulation of cannabis remains a superior solution to decriminalization.
The decriminalization of simple possession of cannabis, in, of and by
itself, would simply establish a system of ticketing that would rise
exponentially based on any increased volume of those ticketed. Fines
ultimately could still lead to incarceration, either because of failure to
pay or the number of times caught. The decriminalization of simple
possession of cannabis would not address the multitude of problems inherent
with prohibition.

Dr. Patrick Smith of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health told the
Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that: "If we discovered three
drugs today and they were alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, there isn't an
expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana be the one that is
banned based on individual and societal harm." (Doc says pot less harmful
than booze and tobacco; calls for legalization, June 7, Windsor Star).

If there isn't an expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana
be the one that is banned based on individual and societal harm, then the
prohibition of cannabis is a mistake and, as such, creates problems where
there need not be any. It is this same policy that is the catalyst fuelling
marijuana grow operations. Government could use more effective means to
safeguard the public while striking a major victory against those fronting
"illegal grow operations" by regulating, licencing and/or taxing marijuana
like alcohol.

Wayne Phillips

(And see our editorial today)