Pubdate: Sun, 08 Jul 2012 Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB) Copyright: 2012 Canwest Publishing Inc. Contact: http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/letters.html Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n336/a02.html Author: Pat Atkins JUST HIGH HOPES Re: "Canadians at odds with PM on marijuana law, poll finds; Alberta most firmly against legalization," July 2. I find it interesting the relatively high number of people who think marijuana should be legalized in Canada. I wish it were as simple as prosecuting people for having a small amount of marijuana. First of all, unlike alcohol, there are no reliable measures of levels of drugs that can be administered on the roadside for individuals who are using, then driving. Drugs, including marijuana, are known to have significant effects on motor skills. Are we OK with folks who are impaired on the road, but whose impairment can't easily be detected? Second, it is common sense that legalized marijuana will lead to more use (although Canada has one of the highest rates of adult cannabis use in the world.) This, in turn, will lead to more drug addiction. Are we OK with using more of our scarce healthcare dollars for treatment? People quote the Netherlands as a model. How many people have been to Amsterdam and seen the open drug use in the streets? I have, hard drugs as well. Amsterdam has become a drug vacation mecca. Is that what we want in Calgary? The Netherlands has decided to stop allowing the purchase of drugs by nonresidents for this reason. Why take this path to begin with? In reality, how many people are actually prosecuted for having a small amount of cannabis for their own use? Legalization is not the answer. Pat Atkins, Rocky View County - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom