Pubdate: Fri, 25 Mar 2005 Source: Mississauga News (CN ON) Copyright: The Mississauga News 2005 Contact: http://www.mississauganews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268 Author: Lubaina Hakimjee GONE TO POT Dear Editor: Re: Keep Lid on Pot, Mar. 5-6 edition Imagine yourself walking down a street, when you notice a small group of teenagers, no older than your son/daughter, using marijuana and getting high. Not experienced it yet? Well, it is only a matter of time before this may become a common sight. As a grade 10 student and a concerned citizen, I strongly believe marijuana should not be decriminalized and should remain illegal. While supporters believe that current penalties are too severe and marijuana criminal records cause employment problems, are they aware addictions to marijuana have actually increased over the last four years? Replacing criminal records and prison sentences with fines will not help Canada overcome this problem. Rather, it would further aggravate the situation, encouraging young people to consume the drug because the consequences would not be nearly as severe. I fail to understand why the government would consider marijuana decriminalization, while they simultaneously discourage citizens from consuming the drug. I, for one, believe they should put this issue to rest and leave the marijuana laws as they were. Lubaina Hakimjee Mississauga - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom