Pubdate: Fri, 02 Aug 2002
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Wayne Phillips
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk

PUBLIC CONSENSUS IS A RED HERRING

This notion of the necessity of public consensus on legalizing marijuana is 
a red herring.

Overwhelming evidence demonstrates that cannabis is relatively harmless 
compared to the so-called hard drugs and including tobacco and alcohol.

Aside from the fact that government (read: power) enacts policy without 
public consensus all the time, cannabis prohibition is tantamount to 
longstanding systemic discrimination.

Considering government has had a substantial hand in pigeonholing cannabis, 
it stands to reason that government is responsible for any ostracization 
(read: harm) brought about because of that discriminatory policy; as such 
cannabis prohibition continues to diminish Canada regardless.

Wayne Phillips

(There are arguments for and against.) 
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MAP posted-by: Tom