Pubdate: Fri, 26 Oct 2012
Source: Comox Valley Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Comox Valley Record
Contact:  http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/784
Author: Graham Truax

CONTINUED MARIJUANA PROHIBITION INEFFECTIVE

Dear editor,

Guns, drugs and the potential of violence:

As a case in point to the recent topic of marijuana decriminalization 
at the UBCM convention we have another "local" instance of apparent 
success in the battle against bad weed(s).

As stated by Cpl. Douglas, marijuana grow operations do include 
"criminal element[s] and the potential of violence."

This is hardly surprising. Fundamentally, marijuana distribution is 
in fact illegal [unregulated and uncontrolled]. The RCMP probably 
have fairly accurate data on how much of this illicit trade is 
actually being confiscated but according to Interpol seized 
contraband typically accounts for only 10 per cent of a given activity.

According to the RCMP Drug Enforcement Branch [ www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca ], 
"Organized crime groups are involved in every aspect of illicit drug 
activity, with the resulting profits funding other crimes, posing 
numerous dangers that put the entire community at risk." Further 
illicit drug use costs Canadian society an estimated $8.2 billion a year.

While I certainly do not condone guns, drugs, violence or criminal 
activity of any kind it seems to me that local producers of wine, 
beer and spirits do not have these problems, fundamentally because 
alcohol distribution is legal [regulated and controlled].

If we insist on continued ineffective marijuana prohibition then I 
suppose these are risks that we [as a society] are happy to bear or ignore.

I for one am not buying it, though many are.

Graham Truax,

Comox Valley
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom