Pubdate: Thu, 30 Oct 2003
Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003, BC Newspaper Group
Contact:  http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948
Author: Simon Alexander

MP BLIND ON POT DECRIMINALIZATION

To the Editor,

Decriminalizing marijuana sends the right message to youth and to all 
Canadians.

It is a sign that this country is progressive and finally recognizes that 
it is not reasonable nor just for Canadians who use marijuana to be deemed 
criminals. There is a significant percentage of Canadians who would feel 
let down by their government if decriminalization does not go through.

I have no objection to people who oppose the use of marijuana but it is 
terribly wrong for them to impose their opinion on the rest of society.

I don't know where MP James Lunny (Proposed pot law opens door to abuse, 
says MP - Oct. 16) is hiding because he seems to be blind to the fact that 
so many people are using marijuana already and have been for a long time 
regardless of the law.

It is absurd to think that decriminalization will create greater health 
care costs and will cause even more people to drive while high.

I really wonder if the Canadian Alliance MPs even understand the intentions 
of the proposed bill. I get the impression they believe decriminalization 
is not simply making it no longer a criminal offence to possess personal 
amounts but rather it is in some way promotion and advocacy of its use by 
the government which is definitely not the case.

So if this legislation does go through marijuana will still be illegal and 
if Mr. Lunny truly wanted to cut profits of organized crime he should be in 
support of full out legalization because that is the most effective way to 
deal with the problem.

You know, there is one thing I agree on with Mr. Lunny and it is that 
smoking anything is not good for you, but I would like to point out that 
not everybody smokes it to get high.

Simon Alexander,

Nanaimo
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens