Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2003
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Kim Hanna

MARIJUANA: OTHERS MORE HARMFUL

Dear Editor,

Mr. Sterle's assumptions [Harmless assumptions legitimized, April 25 
Letters to the Editor, Langley Advance News] are incorrect.

Legalization of marijuana doesn't imply it is harmless. Alcohol and tobacco 
are legal, yet everyone knows and it's not implied that they are not harmless.

Legalization of marijuana is just an admission by government that it is not 
its right to control what substances people choose to put in their bodies 
or use in their lives.

What I'd take from the Dutch study of people with schizophrenia is that 
they shouldn't smoke grass. They pretty much should stick to their doctors' 
treatment regimen.

I think Mr. Sterle is exaggerating the dangers of marijuana. He quit 
smoking marijuana (not addicting), as do most people who smoke marijuana. 
They only use it for a time, and then stop using when they get older.

Besides, Mr. Sterle didn't need the cops kicking down his door, wrecking 
his home, life, and family just to get him to stop. He stopped smoking on 
his own, when he was ready.

Kim Hanna Worcester, MA, USA
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom