Pubdate: Sun, 05 Jan 2003
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2003 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: James Lane

ALLOW POT, BUT DON'T CALL IT MEDICINE

To the editor:

I have no problem with anyone who wants to smoke pot in the privacy of 
their own home, as it is relatively harmless compared to other substances.

My problem begins when some of those who indulge in pot begin calling it 
"medicine." While it may provide relief for some forms of pain for some 
people, I'm sure others will jump on this "medicine" bandwagon for other 
reasons.

Let's be honest. There are some people in society who do not want to do 
anything but sit around and get stoned. The number of people who are 
starting to refer to marijuana as "medicine" leads me to believe they have 
found a way to avoid getting a job, and having the government pay for their 
habits.

What better way to have your cake and eat it, too, than have marijuana 
classified as an essential product for someone with health problems, and 
have us taxpayers pay for it under the Canada Health Act.

Decriminalize it, legalize it; I don't care what you do with it. But don't 
expect me to pay for it. It's your bad habit; you foot the bill for it.

James Lane Halifax
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom