Pubdate: Tue, 10 Mar 2009 Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC) Copyright: 2009 Abbotsford News Contact: http://www.abbynews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155 Author: Carol Gwilt DRUGS SHOULD BE REGULATED Editor, The News: This is in response to the article "Two busted for drugs outside Matsqui; one escapes." This is a perfect example of how prohibition creates an extremely lucrative black market for anyone willing to take the risk. Cannabis and tobacco are currently being sold in prisons at the rate of $10 for one-sixth of a gram rolled in a "pinner joint." At 454 grams per pound, that is $27,240. I would think some people would look at a jail sentence as going out to the oil rigs to work for a few months: make mad money, meet new people and learn some new skills that will carry them through life. We haven't seen violence on the streets like we are sure to in the coming months with police and government escalation of the rules of engagement and no more money to pour into the stream. Something's got to give. There is no way to enforce our way to an end to drug use. We can only shut down this ugly war with proper drug regulation and education. Carol Gwilt - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin