Pubdate: Tue, 29 Jul 2003
Source: Dryden Observer (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Dryden Observer
Contact:  http://www.drydenobserver.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2439
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

GET OFF THE POT!

There's nothing more amusing than watching government - any government -
make decisions.

For years now, marijuana has been bad. It's been a drug that could net one
jail time for even small amounts; it's been a plant that thousands of people
get together and smoke in large open spaces, but without getting arrested.

A little grass has resulted in more than one person losing a high-paying job
after drug testing, but they can still drive cars without it showing up on a
breathalyzer.

Thousands have been refused crossing at borders because of a record that
indicates they experimented with marijuana in the distant past. Yet on the
streets of large Canadian cities, small amounts will no longer result in
court or jail time - just a fine.

It's had a reputation for leading to heavier drugs, which, in itself, should
be enough to get rid of it once and for all... if they could ever really
prove that statement.

Then, they discovered it had a certain medicinal value that couldn't be
denied when it came to the treatment and management of certain conditions
and illnesses.

Now what to do?

They made it legal - but only for a very select few. Then the decision
makers found out that they weren't really in a position to say whether the
guy with the inoperable brain tumour really was benefitting from the drug or
not.

Does it really matter? If he's dying and he says it makes him feel better,
what's the difference?

Patients have a good argument. Why not take this one drug with few side
effects over several expensive legal drugs with many?

In the last few years, the number of people who use marijuana to alleviate
medical symptoms has grown by leaps and bounds - because there really was no
fair way to figure out who should be using it and who could probably manage
without it.

So what's next?

Well, we now have government-certified marijuana, grown in government
approved greenhouses by people who are chosen specifically for the task.

The drugs are expensive too - far over street value - and with even more
kick than a baggie full from a non-government vendor. What a load of bunk
this all is!

So now the government of Canada grows the best weed around and sells it at
premium rates. All because they say they have to supply sick people with
their 'medicine'.

This month, Health Canada released a users manual for marijuana.

Just like all of the other non-decisions made on this subject, the guide
jumps back and forth, between offering instructions and warnings.

And just like a child watching an indecisive parent who won't take a firm
stand, Canadians are losing respect and doing whatever they feel like doing.
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk