MOST SUPPORT NEW POT LAWS

Editor, The News:

Regarding the 'high ground' that letter writer Derrick Dick claims that
police and other prohibitionist interests claim to have ('Cops stake high
ground,' Viewpoint, June 27), I have one question: Where is this so-called
'anti-marijuana' public?

According to a CTV/Ipsos Reid poll conducted in 2000, 69 per cent of
Canadians want changes to our current cannabis laws.

As the Americans learned after their 'noble' experiment - alcohol
prohibition - in the 1930s, legislating morality simply doesn't work, and
what's more, creates a much worse situation.

It would be far better for our children, firefighters, landlords,
electrical workers and police (who could focus on fighting more pressing
criminal issues) if the black market was removed and responsible,
reasonable regulation of cannabis - such as age controls and quality
assurance - replaced the current vacuum.

Tim Meehan, communications director

Ontario Consumers for Safe Access to Recreational Cannabis, Toronto