Pubdate: Wed, 16 Oct 2002
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Steve Cherry

PUT SAFETY FIRST IF MARIJUANA IS DECRIMINALIZED

Editor:

I have nothing against pot smokers, just irresponsible pot smokers and 
substance abusers. Marijuana, according to all current scientific data is 
less physically addictive and harmful than tobacco and alcohol. But that 
doesn't mean it is perfectly safe.

Some people can drive fairly safely while drunk; the same can be said for 
those who are high. Most people cannot, however, and even hardened 
alcoholics and chronic pot smokers, if they indulge too much, can be 
hazardous on the road.

The side affects of marijuana smoking can include hunger, paranoia, 
giddiness, euphoria, tiredness, lowered attention span, loss of time 
perception and, in some rare individuals, mild perceptual hallucinations.

Thousands of fatal and severe motor vehicle accidents a year are currently 
caused by alcohol and tiredness. I believe if marijuana becomes legalized 
or decriminalized, many more people will be doing it and more irresponsible 
overindulgers could be driving, knowing if caught, all they face is a fine.

Instead of letting irresponsible people ruin what has the potential of 
doing some good for society and the sick, I have a proposal that could be 
more beneficial to all: Certain bars could carry marijuana for sale.

This marijuana would be sold to the bars by the government and would be of 
a standard average potency. When people go to these bars, where it is 
perfectly legal, they must hand over their drivers' licences and only get 
it back three or four hours after last call or when escorted to a taxi by 
the bouncers.

The only other places it should be legal are clinics where those who need 
it can have it administered in proper intervals by trained individuals and 
have a few of the same trained individuals daily go around town giving one 
day's worth of doses to homes of those in need.

Steve Cherry

Lethbridge
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MAP posted-by: Alex