GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIZES GANGS

With their recently proposed amendments to the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act, the Harper government is suggesting mandatory minimum
sentences of six months for growing a single pot plant. Although this
will do nothing to frighten gangsters, it will scare off the
mom-and-pop growers who present direct market competition to the
gangs, increasing the gangs' profits. This policy also promises to
increase associated gun violence. Why the government would further
subsidize gangs is no mystery: it panders to their misinformed,
punishment-happy and myopic voter base, while placating police who
need even more troops and funding for this War On Plants.

Russell Barth

(Opinion polls suggest the public already knows it's foolish.)