Talking Points:
Feel free to use these in your letters.

"Do we really want to keep spending millions of dollars on marijuana prohibition, or would society be better served by regulating the industry, taxing it, keeping people safe and creating jobs?"

As we move towards a service based economy, we must do what we can to encourage people to spend money where it means the most jobs.

Canadians should be encouraged to hire the maids, gardeners, fitness instructors and other labour intensive services outlined in the 6797 Proposal (6797.com)

A Christmas gift card for one of the labour intensive services listed in the 6797 proposal (6797.com), would do far more for our economy than buying a mass produced product from a distant land.

It is not fair that BC gets marijuana coffee shops and all the jobs, and tax revenue associated with them. In Ontario marijuana sellers do not collect or pay taxes, and are forced set up shop in residential areas. Many currently collect a government paycheque (ODSP, Welfare etc) as they can not show their income, and qualify.

Currently growers are not subject to any type of inspection. Growers can't call in an electrician to get the wiring done, or to check to make sure it was done right. This has led to fires and other public safety issues.

The estimated value of the marijuana industry in Canada is 7 Billion.
Beer sales in 2005 reached 8.4 Billion in Canada.
According to the Department of Finance, the beer industry affects over "300 other Canadian industries as a result of Canadian brewers' need for ingredients, materials and services." Similar affects should be felt if the marijuana industry is legalized and taxed. From hydroponic kits at Canadian Tire, Equipment, Nutrients for growing, renting retail space, starting coffee shops, hiring wait staff, advertising and so on and so on.

Legalization will generate tens of thousands of jobs. Imagine the inverse, if the government banned alcohol how many jobs would be lost as, legions, bars, nightclubs, brewers, hops farmers, bottle makers, label printers, advertising, sports sponsorships, beer stores, liquor stores and literally hundreds of more go out of business. In reality, most people will find a way to get booze, and will continue to drink, the only loss would be thousands of jobs and billions in taxes. Then, all those in the alcohol industry would then end up on the government payroll down the road (welfare, EI etc.) Legalizing marijuana would have the inverse effect.

Marc Emery should not be extradited!

It is hypocritical of us as a nation to allow Marc Emery to be extradited. 44% of Canadians have admitted to smoking weed, leading to the obvious conclusion that millions of Canadians are currently in possession of marijuana seeds. If you sent your friend in the US a few seeds in a Christmas card, should you face a possible life sentence in prison?

Marc Emery should get a noble peace prize for his work. He has help alleviate much pain and suffering. He has given people the means to grow their own weed so they don't have to give their money to drug dealers. Many "Mom and Pop" grow operations have started with his seeds, reducing the market share of organized crime, and their profits. I doubt he will get the Peace Prize, it isn't like he sent thousands of troops off to war.

Our current marijuana prohibition is working directly in the favor of organized crime by keeping prices high and discouraging legitimate taxable enterprises from cleaning up the industry.

If you think those anit-weed ads, with a talking dog, are working your are grossly out of touch. First telling teenagers not to do something only generates more desire to do it. Just tell someone to "don't look down" and see the look on their face as they struggle to comply, but end up looking down. The ad where the talking dog asks Lindsy to stop smoking weed, leaves most people saying "I'll have what she is having". Telling teenagers not to smoke weed, or their dog will talk to them, is having the opposite intended affect. If legalized, I picture some growers making parodies of the ad, if SNL hasn't already.

To revive our economy we need a new industry.

Efforts should be made to stimulate the service sector, this is where we can get the most bang for the buck.

To generate a large amount of permanent jobs, we need an new industry. The latest industry, the Internet, is responsible for millions of jobs world wide. Until there is a new industry, the economy will continue to limp along and wait for the "Green Industry" to take off and generate jobs, which will take many years

Small Market Media Tax Credit
This will allow businesses located in towns with a population of less than 10,000 to get 50% a non-refundable tax credit when they advertise with their local media. Struggling businesses that spend a $2,000 on advertising will continue be able to write that expense off as an expense, plus get a $1,000 non refundable tax credit.

Small Market Media Tax Credit will cut advertising costs for small town businesses and help save local tv, radio, newspapers and web designers, by generating more demand for their services.

The tv stations which are currently in financial trouble, are currently are running ad campaigns trying to save themselves by asking someone to give them money. This is not how the industry is supposed to work. Tv stations should be making money by selling ad space, and the SMMTC would make advertising cost effective for more businesses.

Cash strapped businesses would be able to advertise, and hopefully thrive.

Labour intensive service sector tax breaks.

Allowing people to write off restaurant bills over $30 will make eating out more affordable for many families.

Tax deductible restaurant bills will generate demand in the restaurant industry, leading to hiring.

44% of Canadians have already admitted to using marijuana.

Make the Marijuana industry pay tax!!

Marijuana users must pay their fair share!

Making maid service tax deductible would encourage thousands of people to hire a maid service.

Making Car Detail tax deductible would encourage more people to use that service.

Making gym memberships and other fitness expenses tax deductible would encourage a healthier population and create jobs as people enroll into fitness classes and hire fitness/personal trainers.

We need to what we can to prevent people coming into contact with the hard drugs, which are destroying families in rural Canada.