Pubdate: Sat, 5 Jun 2010 Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2010 The Lethbridge Herald Contact: http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239 Author: Kenneth Oler LEGALIZING MARIJUANA WOULD BE FOOLISHNESS Two Letters to the Editor recently appeared in The Herald supporting the legalization of marijuana. This addictive, hallucinating, harmful and illegal drug is promoted throughout the world as "pleasurable." Maybe it is, but the rest of the facts about pot should be realized. It is highly addictive. Just scan the web for all of the remedies and realities of withdrawal. Why do these "users" love it so much? We already know the results of alcohol and tobacco addiction in our society. Usage of this drug is rampant enough. Any student in junior or senior high school in Lethbridge can access this drug through school associations. They can then purchase the smoking paraphernalia in a downtown shop. Three drastic changes will occur in our society if pot usage is legalized. As with alcohol, many more will over-consume with the resulting violence, impaired driving and underage consumption. As with tobacco and alcohol, all children between the ages of 11 and 17 will have full access to the product. Many will become addicts with the resulting life-wrecking that occurs - - broken homes, heart-broken spouses and children and resulting health costs including rehabilitation efforts. Obviously, marijuana usage is the gateway to heavy drug consumption and the resulting heavier addictions, criminal activity, wrecked lives and legal costs. There are families in Lethbridge which have been decimated by this lifestyle. Also, consider the thousands of children whose lives are destroyed by drinking mothers giving them the gift of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Would not marijuana smoking during pregnancy provide similar results? Of course, we can just carry on and do the research later when thousands of other children not yet born possibly enter life with a similar condition. Then there is the medical marijuana question. I challenge the medical profession to explain how there are other drugs available that can provide the same pain relief as marijuana without the negative effects. It seems the medical use of pot always spills over into an excuse for everyday use. The reality of this public relations exercise promoting everyday use of pot is that a small group of people are willing to bring into our society a very dangerous addictive substance just for their temporary "high" and pleasure. Is there any thought of the many lives that will be wrecked as this new addiction becomes rampant in out society? I suggest this is selfishness at the highest. Kenneth Oler Lethbridge - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake