Pubdate: Thu, 31 May 2001
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Neil MacNaughton

END THE WAR ON DRUGS

Letter writer Edward Sugden pleads with us not to "unleash" marijuana. 
("Don't unleash the marijuana monster," May 21). But compared to "such a 
monster as alcohol," marijuana is more like a mouse.

Both alcohol and marijuana are mood-altering drugs. Alcohol will make you 
silly, sloppy and sometimes violent. Marijuana will make you silly, then 
sleepy. Rather than leading to violence, marijuana is a pacifier. Rather 
than leading to depression, marijuana is a mood lifter -- hence the term 
"high."

Our government needs to withdraw from the war on drugs. It needs to stop 
imposing morals upon its citizens. Studies show that marijuana users are 
not a societal risk. Our own Canadian Medical Association Journal says 
moderate marijuana use is not a significant health risk.

Marijuana should be legalized and regulated. Anything less is unjustifiable.

Neil MacNaughton
Oakville
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