Pubdate: Tue, 15 Mar 2005
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Al Whiteford
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON LEGALIZING POT

The following letters were received in response to The Sun's four 
editorials about marijuana last week.

At last I read an editorial opinion that truly examines -- and questions -- 
our present laws and policies about the production and use of marijuana.

Anybody who has even superficially studied the consequences of alcohol 
prohibition in the 1930s must realize that we must move in the opposite 
direction. "Tax and control" must replace "forbid and punish." The latter 
doesn't work anyway, so why not spend those resources on education and 
rehabilitation?

Not that I regard marijuana as harmful or addictive as alcohol, but any 
mind-altering substance should be accompanied by facts about its possible 
debilitating effects on mind and body.

My wife and I partake of a medicinal glass or two of wine at dinner each 
night, but don't use other drugs and are grateful that prohibiting them was 
long ago discarded as unenforceable.

Al Whiteford

Courtenay 
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