A growth industry

November 14, 2002

Dear Sir,

I have just read what Mr. Santucci had to say about drugs and our society, and if we as a society were just starting down the road to drugs I might find myself lining up behind his fire and brimstone approach to stamp it out. This is not the case. Society (as we enjoy it) has legalised an extremely potent recreational drug generally referred to as alcohol. As long as this remains the case here in Bermuda, or anywhere else, a zero-tolerance policy towards drugs is a hypocritical joke that a significant number of our population is laughing at all the way to the nearest crack house.

I'm more than a little suspicious about the tale Mr. Santucci relates about his good friend who "spaced out" on marijuana and has not recovered for "20 years". I smile a lot, but anybody who knows me will tell you that I don't laugh out loud. This story made me laugh out loud. I was raised from the cradle, in the same kind of church as Mr. Santucci and let me tell you, every minister can relate so many true to life tales that it makes your head spin. I came to the conclusion that they were doing it to make their point. Among informed folks his point becomes moot. They know better. They know that nobody spaces out for twenty years on marijuana. Mr. Santucci's friend was either on something much more potent or he has gotten his tale mixed up with Rip Van Winkle.

Almost all of the concerns that the Pembroke East Central voters have can be solved if the Government had enough money to spend solving them. Low pensions for the elderly, unaffordable housing, lack of affordable day care centres, ridiculously low salaries for the teachers of their children, inadequate old peoples homes for their elderly, affordable health care... it all costs money. The legislation and industrialisation of marijuana as an alternative social drug would earn the Island lots of money. Millions. But only if it happens soon. Anyone who is paying attention knows that marijuana is fast becoming accepted into societies all over the world. We will one day have to legalise it anyway just to keep up with the trend. There is no benefit in doing that. We should be setting the trend.

If Mr. Santucci really want to do what is in the best interest of the people, particularly the people of Pembroke East Central, let him bring down his fire and brimstone on the synthetic soul stealing drugs that is eroding Bermudian society in general, and cast his financial eye and senses to the benefits of allowing the softer marijuana plant to help provide for their financial well being.

AL EASTMOND

Devonshire