Check this out:
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-157.html
The most notable of those consequences has been labeled the "Iron Law of Prohibition" by Richard Cowan. That law states that the more intense the law enforcement, the more potent the prohibited substance becomes. When drugs or alcoholic beverages are prohibited, they will become more potent, will have greater variability in potency, will be adulterated with unknown or dangerous substances, and will not be produced and consumed under normal market constraints. The Iron Law undermines the prohibitionist case and reduces or outweighs the benefits ascribed to a decrease in consumption.
Guess it would be...
Every time we see a major supplier of street drugs arrested their becomes a panic amongst all the users. If Marijuana is so harmless lets see what happens to regular users if they go without it for a while without treatment?
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/seattle072905.html
News Release
For More Information Contact:
Jeffrey M. Eig
Public Information Officer
Seattle Field Division
206-553-1411
July 29, 2005
"Prince of Pot" Arrested by US-Canadian Task Force
Major Distributor of Marijuana Federally Indicted in Seattle, Washington
JUL 29--(Seattle, WA) The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the Halifax Police Department arrested MARC EMERY, 47, of Vancouver, BC, today on a warrant issued from the Western District of Washington in Seattle. EMERY is accused of selling millions of dollars of marijuana seeds over the internet, though the mail, and in person to individuals in the United States and across the globe. The DEA, in an investigation of EMERY has traced his seeds to illegal marijuana crops in Indiana, Florida, California, Tennessee, Montana, Virginia, Michigan, New Jersey and North Dakota. An estimated 75% of the seeds EMERY sells are transported to the United States.
“The tentacles of the Mark Emery criminal enterprise reached out across North America to include all 50 United States and Canada,” said Special Agent in Charge Rodney G. Benson of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). “Mr. Emery utilized the internet to sell his marijuana seeds throughout this country to customers no matter their age. He directed his business with efficiency, was motivated by greed, and will now be prosecuted for this illegal activity.”
MARC EMERY has operated Marc Emery Direct since 1994, taking orders for marijuana seeds over the internet and is a well known figure in Canada as publisher of Cannabis Culture magazine, and leader of the BC Marijuana Party. According to the web site run by EMERY, he has made more than $3 million annually, illegally selling marijuana seeds. EMERY claims to stock the largest supply of marijuana seeds in the world and is considered the largest distributor of marijuana seeds. According to court filings, Emery seeds are associated with multiple illegal grow operations across the U.S.
EMERY and co-defendants GREGORY KEITH WILLIAMS, 50, of Vancouver, BC and MICHELLE RAINEY-FENKAREK, 34, of Vancouver, BC are charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana, Conspiracy to Distribute Marijuana Seeds and Conspiracy to Engage in Money Laundering. The charges carry penalties of 10 years to life in prison.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington has filed an extradition request with Canada asking that all three defendants be brought to Seattle to stand trial.
Nice to see that the liberals and potheads get along so well in Canada. Makes me wonder if the Paleo-Libertarians would stab Conservatives in the back just to maintain their buz here?
http://www.canadiandemocraticmovement.ca/displayarticle595.html
Leader Of Marijuana Party Joins Liberal Party Of Canada To Advance Marijuana Issue
Marc Boris St-Maurice, the former leader of the Marijuana Party of Canada has resigned his position and taken up ranks with the federal Liberal Party in the hopes of advancing the marijuana cause.
While Marc Boris St-Maurice is now gone, the party he has supported since their inception will continue on in his absence. Blair T. Longley, is the new leader of the Marijuana Party of Canada.
From Marc Boris St-Maurice:
I had the honor and privilege to serve as leader of Canada's Marijuana Party from it's inception in 2000 to December, 2004, when I resigned to become an active member of the Liberal Party of Canada.
I believe that if any party will ever legalize marijuana in Canada, it is the Liberals and I hope to bring my knowledge and expertise on this issue to help the Liberal party develop new policies, programs and legislation which address the marijuana situation.
I think there is wide support for marijuana reform within the Liberal party and I am confident that a large proportion of these silent supporters will come forward once the issue is pressed, and I look forward to working with them to bring about this positive change.
I will also be attending the bi-annual convention to help rally support for Resolution No. 87 which calls for the legalization of marijuana that is to be debated at the convention between 11:00 - 12:30, Saturday, March 5, 2005.
Editor Note:
I had the pleasure of meeting Marc Boris St-Maurice on a couple of occasions including at an Elections Canada advisory meeting. Marc Boris St-Maurice was passionate about the marijuana issue, but more than that, he has a keen sense for organization and that will surely come to serve to the Liberal Party well.
Roy Whyte