Pubdate: Mon, 16 Sep 2002
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1656/a04.html
Author: Neil MacEachern
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA PROMOTES SAFE RECREATIONAL USE, NOT DRUG ABUSE

Re: Senators on marijuana, Sept. 5.

For someone to conclude outright that marijuana is bad is not only 
outdated, but wrong. No drug is without its consequences. But marijuana's 
negative ramifications are dwarfed in comparison to those of nicotine and 
alcohol.

The largest problem with marijuana is not the actual drug, but society's 
attempts to drive it underground. The social costs of cannabis are found in 
our continued desire to put all its users behind bars. The Senate desires 
to put an end to this through legalization as well as a re-examination of 
the entire way we look at drug use.

Drug abuse is the problem. Legalizing marijuana is the best way to allow 
safe recreational use through legal procurement, and minimize abuse.

Drug use will not go away, nor must it. It is only abuse that we must work 
to eliminate, and surprisingly, the Senate seems to have hit the nail right 
on the head.

Neil MacEachern, Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Jackl