March 13, 2011Dear Sir,A 43-year-old tourist received a hefty fine for importation after cannabis was found in his cruise ship cabin.Well I believe that Bermuda can add at least one more tourist and at most all of his friends and acquaintances to the no return column. Wayne contends that the United States will retaliate if Bermuda does something sensible about destroying so many young lives and at the same time produce reinforcements for the gangs and criminal behavior. What is left for these people to do after their life has been destroyed by placing a drug conviction on their record? Just to be clear about what is happening in the United States on this issue I will post the following. The source is Wikipedia.Alaska: One ounce usable. Alaska is the only state where possession of up to one ounce is legal.California: 8 ounces usable. A Physician's recommendation is required.Colorado: 2 ounces usable. A Physician's recommendation is required.Hawaii: 3 ounces usableMaine: Amended to 2.5 ounces usable. No state-run registry. A physician's recommendation is required.Massachusetts: On November 4, 2008, Massachusetts became the first state to decriminalize marijuana possession passed by voter initiative.Michigan: 2.5 ounces usable. No state-run registry.Montana: 1 ounce usable.Nevada: 1 ounce usable. A Physician's recommendation is required.New Mexico: 6 ounces usable.Oregon: First state to decriminalize marijuana in 1973. 24 ounces usable.Rhode Island: 2.5 ounces usable.Vermont: 2 ounces usable.Washington: 24 ounces usable. No state-run registry.And Bermuda should be concerned about US sanctions because we strive to protect our people when they are doing the same for their people? Many of whom would probably enjoy visiting Bermuda; but hey, according to Wayne we don't need them because they are not the kind of tourists we want. All of these people from all over the United States and we don't need or want them. Maybe then in all of our advertising we should just stipulate exactly what kind of people we want visiting Bermuda and what kind is not welcomed. Wayne I know you can do better than that; well I hope so anyway.AL EASTMOND