Fred Lemonjello
07-08-2006, 10:06 AM
Abbotsford News
Abbotsford, BC
Jul 06 2006
The arrest of two men in a scheme which saw marijuana hauled into the U.S. by helicopter is being hailed by law enforcement officials on both sides of the border.
They say the helicopter was hauling cocaine back into Canada, after dropping off marijuana in remote areas that were accessible by helicopter.
This is just another indication of the massive scale of drug smuggling that goes on in this area.
In addition to marijuana being traded for cocaine, it is often used to purchase handguns. These guns are then distributed among people involved with the drug trade, and this has led to numerous murders throughout the Lower Mainland.
There is a big “war on drugs” underway in the U.S., and to a lesser degree, in Canada. Given the scope of criminal activity involved with drugs, this is necessary.
However, it seems no amount of enforcement is able to put a significant dent in drug use.
Perhaps it is time to look at the issue from an historical perspective. When the U.S. banned alcohol in the days of prohibition (which also occurred in Canada, but earlier and for a shorter period), the use of alcohol did not stop. It went underground, and criminals became involved in its illegal distribution because of the huge profits to be made.
While there is no justification for legalizing cocaine, heroin or other such drugs, it might make sense to sell marijuana at government outlets, just as was done in Canada with liquor when prohibition ended. This ensured that the price and quality of the product was reasonable, and took the criminal element out of the picture.
However, a comprehensive study of the effects of marijuana on health is necessary before legalization. For example, if smoking cigarettes is harmful to health, as we all know, how is it possible that smoking marijuana has no negative effect on one’s health over a long period of time?
Medicinal use of marijuana is proven to have some beneficial effects, and is legal in Canada.
Perhaps it is time to consider wider legalization.
– Langley Times
Abbotsford, BC
Jul 06 2006
The arrest of two men in a scheme which saw marijuana hauled into the U.S. by helicopter is being hailed by law enforcement officials on both sides of the border.
They say the helicopter was hauling cocaine back into Canada, after dropping off marijuana in remote areas that were accessible by helicopter.
This is just another indication of the massive scale of drug smuggling that goes on in this area.
In addition to marijuana being traded for cocaine, it is often used to purchase handguns. These guns are then distributed among people involved with the drug trade, and this has led to numerous murders throughout the Lower Mainland.
There is a big “war on drugs” underway in the U.S., and to a lesser degree, in Canada. Given the scope of criminal activity involved with drugs, this is necessary.
However, it seems no amount of enforcement is able to put a significant dent in drug use.
Perhaps it is time to look at the issue from an historical perspective. When the U.S. banned alcohol in the days of prohibition (which also occurred in Canada, but earlier and for a shorter period), the use of alcohol did not stop. It went underground, and criminals became involved in its illegal distribution because of the huge profits to be made.
While there is no justification for legalizing cocaine, heroin or other such drugs, it might make sense to sell marijuana at government outlets, just as was done in Canada with liquor when prohibition ended. This ensured that the price and quality of the product was reasonable, and took the criminal element out of the picture.
However, a comprehensive study of the effects of marijuana on health is necessary before legalization. For example, if smoking cigarettes is harmful to health, as we all know, how is it possible that smoking marijuana has no negative effect on one’s health over a long period of time?
Medicinal use of marijuana is proven to have some beneficial effects, and is legal in Canada.
Perhaps it is time to consider wider legalization.
– Langley Times