Pubdate: Fri, 17 Aug 2001
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Matthew B. Safran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n1456/a06.html

MARIJUANA: LEGAL WEED ONLY WAY

Dear Editor,

Your response to Robert Sharpe's well written letter [Weed worth its weight 
in gold, Aug.7 Feature Letter, Langley Advance News] was to trot out tired 
"reefer madness" horror stories. Long term memory loss and psychosis?

Given that so many Canadians have smoked marijuana at some point in their 
lives, would it not stand to reason that some of these terrible long-term 
side effects would have manifested themselves throughout society by now?

They have not, because they do not exist. They are part of the propaganda 
which has been shoveled at us (mostly from our neighbours to the south) for 
almost half a century.

With regard to your "slippery slope" argument, readers only need to ask 
themselves when was the last time they purchased liquor or beer or wine 
from a bootlegger. I'd expect most if not all of us would answer "never."

Why then do you assume the large-scale underground production and 
distribution of marijuana which occurs today would continue in a society in 
which the substance is not banned?

Drug dealers also have easy access to beer and wine in today's society, but 
I doubt many teens get their booze from them. Why not? Because there's no 
profit in it. The government monopoly on alcohol has removed the black 
market from the equation.

Legalization equals regulation. It's that simple.

Matthew B. Safran
Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: GD