Pubdate: Sun, 06 May 2012
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Brent Applegath

MP OUT OF TOUCH

Holy smokes! Once again Colin Mayes demonstrates to his constitutes 
he is living in the age of political dinosaurs.

A previous flawed and incorrect article spun a tale of global warming 
denial and now this poppy-cock about the harm of marijuana. I thought 
I was listening to the thirties documentary "Reefer Madness."

Mr. Mayes' facts are misleading at best and demonstrate just how out 
of touch he is with reality. According to the National Institute On 
Drug Abuse, "Research into the effects of long-term cannabis use on 
the structure of the brain has yielded inconsistent results. It may 
be that the effects are too subtle for reliable detection by current 
techniques.

"A similar challenge arises in studies of the effects of chronic 
marijuana use on brain function. Brain imaging studies in chronic 
users tend to show some consistent alterations, but their connection 
to impaired cognitive functioning is far from clear.

"This uncertainty may stem from confounding factors such as other 
drug use, residual drug effects, or withdrawal symptoms in long-term 
chronic users. However, at this time, it is not clear whether 
marijuana use causes mental problems, exacerbates them, or reflects 
an attempt to self-medicate symptoms already in existence."

In other words, the jury is out when the medical community is polled 
on the negative effects of marijuana use.

As far as cancer causing elements in pot, research has shown that "a 
recent case-controlled study found no positive associations between 
marijuana use and lung, upper respiratory, or upper digestive tract 
cancers. Thus, the link between marijuana smoking and these cancers 
remains unsubstantiated at this time."

The most compelling arguments for the legalization of marijuana comes 
from former Canadian attorneys-general, mayor's and police officers. 
According to a recent article in the Globe and Mail, "four former 
B.C. attorneys-general lent their voices to the campaign to legalize marijuana.

They followed in the wake of Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and 
three of his predecessors, all of who called for the same thing.

Before them, it was an esteemed group of B.C. doctors specializing in 
drug policy. National associations representing police chiefs, 
doctors and lawyers have also called for the decriminalization of marijuana".

If that isn't enough, a recent national poll found that 66 per cent 
of Canadians think marijuana should be legalized; with 73 per cent 
British Columbians giving pot the nod.

Isn't it time to stop wasting police resources and move on to more 
meaningful legislation?

Brent Applegath
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom