Pubdate: Wed, 27 May 2009
Source: NOW Magazine (CN ON)
Copyright: 2009 NOW Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nowtoronto.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/282
Author: D.Ferris
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n542/a08.html

RACIALIZING REEFER

There's certainly a racial aspect to drug laws (NOW, May 21-27).

I've often thought that drug laws were very culturally specific.

Alcohol is okay because it has a long history as a recreational drug 
in Europe. But marijuana is scary because it has a long history in 
Asia and the Middle East. Tobacco, coffee and tea were adopted by 
Europeans and turned into cash crops under colonialist ventures.

But a relatively benign plant like khat is banned in Canada despite a 
long social history in Somali, Yemeni and other East African communities.

D.Ferris

Toronto
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