LET'S DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA

The legalization of marijuana would be the smartest thing we have ever
done. Lane is correct, the Niagara region does have an escalating drug and
crime problem.

Only marijuana is not the drug and the crime is our own fault. Making the
laws harsher on marijuana growers and users is not the answer. I agree
entirely with Marc Emery of the Vancouver Marijuana Party, who said "the
risk costs involved in smuggling and trafficking marijuana leads to
artificially high profits and criminal involvement in the drug trade. These
risk costs are a direct result of police arresting people for selling drugs."

If the money is there to be made, then someone is going to do it. The
legalization of marijuana would mean the government could control the
amount being produced, the cost and the sale. How often do you hear of
someone growing tobacco to sell on the black market? If there's no money to
be made, no one will bother.

Right now in the U.S., 700 out of every 100,000 citizens are in prison as
opposed to 115 in Canada and 50 in Europe. Canada cannot afford to make the
same mistakes as our neighbour. Every penny used chasing and prosecuting
minor drug offenders like marijuana growers, could be used in other places.
Our Ontario (especially St. Catharines) health-care system could definitely
use some work.

If you are so concerned with the effects drugs and alcohol have on your
children, maybe you should try being parents and educate your children on
the long-term effects of their decisions.

Everyone has the right to make the choice whether they are going to smoke
or drink. Why can't we decide whether we want to smoke marijuana?

Seth Cairns

Roehampton Avenue

St. Catharines