Pubdate: Sun, 14 Sep 2008
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2008 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Bruce Codere

BLOWING SMOKE

Re: "Taxing Cannabis," Letter, Sept. 7.

Karen Yung proposes a $1 a gram tax on cannabis. There is a problem with this.

Prices vary, but cannabis is close to $1 per gram already. Higher 
prices than now in a regulated environment would only encourage the 
black market to maintain its share of business.

I'm all for tax on cannabis going to health and wellness programs for 
the people who are really hurting. That's good medicine.

The only reason cannabis can sell for $1,000 a kilogram instead of 
$60 a kilogram is because of prohibition.

There's enough room for pot smokers and the government to find a 
happy medium, and help the disadvantaged.

But does the government have the gumption to act on fact instead of 
supplicating the Americans?

The only ones not buying into this are those whose careers depend on 
prohibition, and people who have fallen for the deception.

We can do better than this.

Bruce Codere, Edmonton
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom