More reasons
to fight Bill C-26

[Re: “Prohibition, pot and politics,” News, April 24] The poor marijuana activists who are saddened by the “coincidence” that Parliament is dissolved every time their milquetoast bill nears discussion are hopelessly naive.

The government are never going to willingly get rid of any drug law, no matter which party is in power. They are all lawyers and an alarmingly large fraction of legal fees come from drug trials.

The only way to combat these harmful and unjust laws is through a legal process known as Jury Nullification. This goes back to the Magna Carta, and has been used to secure rights we take completely for granted today, such as the freedoms of speech and religion. Most recently, it resulted in the repeal of Canada’s abortion laws.

Lawyers have been trying to hide its existence since the late 1800s, not wanting to give up any of their power or authority, but it was recently unambiguously upheld by a Canadian Supreme Court decision written by Morris Fish.

It’s certainly a topic worthy of an article. Had I the time, I would start an organization devoted to educating Canadians as to their right to decide according to their conscience while serving on a jury.

Thomas Jefferson called Jury Nullification, “The only mechanism yet invented by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”

Check out the Wikipedia article for starters. You’ll be amazed.

>> Mike Guetta

What argument do the drug warriors make to impose mandatory minimum sentences for “marijuana crimes?” Where is the justification for harsh penalties for using a substance that has never caused a single death and has no connection to violence? Where are the assaults, thefts, murders and social chaos from marijuana to justify sending someone to prison? Apparently drug crusading cretins still believe the racist fictions used to outlaw marijuana in the first place.

“...persons using this narcotic smoke the dry leaves of the plant, which has the effect of driving them completely insane. The addict loses all sense of moral responsibility. Addicts to this drug, while under its influence, are immune to pain. While in this condition they become raving maniacs and are liable to kill or indulge in any forms of violence to other persons, using the most savage methods of cruelty without, as said before, any sense of moral responsibility.”—Mrs. Emily Murphy writing under the pen name of “Janey Canuck.”

There is no evidence that marijuana poses any danger except to the deluded minds of drug warriors like “Janey Canuck” who have lost all connection with reality.

>> Ralph Givens,
Daly City, California

I liked your article, “Prohibition, pot and politics.” Bill C-26 will be terrible for Canada if it passes and the details of this bill need to be exposed as much as possible. Thanks for including my Web site URL as well! (cannabisfacts.ca)

>> Frank D.

When one considers that new science out of Germany shows how cannabis helps the human body’s natural cancer-resistance by stimulating the production of TIMP-1, the Harper government’s new crackdown on pot seems downright criminal, doesn’t it? (www.salemnews.com/articles/january112008/cancer_treatment_11008.php).

These demons (and I can’t think of a better word for them) are going to put people in jail for using the cure for cancer. Think about that!

>> Russell Barth, Federal Medical Marijuana Licence Holder Patients Against Ignorance and Discrimination on Cannabis

Fixed gear complaints

[Re: “Break free,” Biking, April 24] Many of us fixed gear riders are ashamed by this new trendy bike shop.

It’s a very faded mainstream copy of Revolution Montreal and Belleville Cycle Coop. Both those shops have been doing what he is doing, but years before. The city’s first store of its sort...I’m not so sure!

A lot of bike messengers have been riding track bikes in Montreal for a long time and have also been organizing races and events. Brakeless is taking credit for creating something that has existed for years.

What a shame!

>> Caroline

Everyone tidy up!

Let’s face it, when spring thaw hits, our city is far from pretty. Many areas look more like garbage dumps while we sit back and wait for the city to begin the massive clean-up.

Montreal could promote an annual weekend in April to kick-start spring cleaning that encourages people to put on their work gloves, grab a garbage bag and remove all traces of litter in the area immediately surrounding their home/business.

The ultimate solution is for all citizens to take pride in our beautiful city by making a diligent effort to keep their relatively small open-to-the-world environs clean, weed and garbage-free all year-round. This process would be quick and painless if everyone pitched in.

>> Lilianne White

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