Pubdate: Fri, 09 Apr 2010
Source: Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times, The  (CN MB)
Copyright: 2010 Sun Media
Contact: http://www.stonewallargusteulontimes.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.stonewallargusteulontimes.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3979
Author: Jim Mosher

MARIJUANA MYTHS ABOUND

Marijuana, not to put too fine a point on it, is illegal. Its 
possession and use is against the law.

People used to go to jail for possessing small quantities of 
cannabis. That's rarely the case these days, at least in Canada; the 
United States is a different kettle of fish where the ever-feared 
marijuaniacs are reviled in some conservative states.

Marijuana is a relatively benign drug, though still a drug that can cause harm.

That said, there are many persistent, if patently false, claims about 
the evils of marijuana. One that seems to have some bite, in the law 
enforcement community predominantly, is that marijuana is a so-called 
'gateway drug'.

The theory is that if you use marijuana you are more likely to go up 
the ladder of abuse to decidedly risky drugs such as cocaine and 
methamphetamine.

The logic in the gateway theory is irrevocably flawed. In essence 
what this failed theory suggests is that marijuana use leads to the 
abuse of other drugs.

Succinctly, picking a number out of thin air, say 80% of cocaine 
abusers have used marijuana. According to the gateway theory that 
means that marijuana use led to cocaine use. Logically, that is nonsense.

One could as easily assert that 90% of cocaine abusers have drank 
alcohol. Therefore, as this failed logic goes, alcohol consumption 
leads to cocaine abuse.

Other theories abound. Most are wrong - logically and scientifically.

Many people I know use marijuana. They are neither criminals nor 
abusers of other drugs. In fact, in my experience, it's more often 
the case that the people I know who smoke marijuana are strongly 
against other drugs, methamphetamines and cocaine in particular. They 
know that using these drugs can lead to extreme mental and-or physical harm.

In balance, though, one must acknowledge that the immoderate use of 
any drug can lead to emotional and physical problems. Alcoholics and 
cigarette smokers come to mind.

So what's the attraction of marijuana?

It is both a soothing and, sometimes, mind expanding drug. It can 
also, if exceptionally, cause wild mood swings, depression, erratic 
behaviour and the like. Not unlike alcohol.

Decriminalizing marijuana will not, in and of itself, create a 
tsunami of criminal activity. More likely, it would take away the 
huge profits organized crime enjoys. (Though organized crime will 
always find a way to custom-make new drugs to which people will be attracted.)

If taxed, like cigarettes, like alcohol, 'legal' marijuana could 
generate millions in new revenues for government treasuries.

The bigger question, perhaps, is why we humans, many of us anyway, 
gravitate to drugs in the first place.

Why do I enjoy a nice cold beer? So much?

Alcohol, as marijuana, provides a relief. It is not a sign of 
weakness that we seek release and relief from our stresses, it's 
healthy that we seek to relieve stress.

Stress, as Canadian Hans Selye, who coined the term in the 1950s, 
showed, is a healthy part of everyday life. It makes us stronger. 
However, when stress goes beyond a tipping point, its damaging 
effects accumulate. Relief, through drugs, meditation, exercise - 
choose your poison - appears in this context a 'natural' mechanism to 
protect ourselves.

The best stress reliever, however, is a strong community - of family, 
friends and acquaintances. Love remains the elixir that unburdens us.

Now there's an addiction we can all live with.

Jim Mosher is the Editor of the Interlake Spectator.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart