Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jul 2013
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n319/a11.html
Author: Teena Troock

TIME TO END CRIMINALITY OF USING MARIJUANA

To the editor:

Re: Marcia Lawrence's letter in the Capital News, July 5, War On 
Drugs Good Use of Tax Dollars.

I'm a firm believer in the legalization of marijuana in today's society.

I'm 55 and no, I do not use it.

But there is something inherently wrong with a country that 
constitutes the criminality of it to a percentage of users, jailing 
them for possession, yet, allowing others, the license to grow for 
medical purposes.

I daresay some health authorities recognize the benefits of this 
natural drug-natural when grown legally.

As in all things in our world there is positive and a negative, a yin and yang.

What is wrong with that picture? Create criminals on one hand for 
using marijuana, license use of the drug on the other hand.

I am a certified alcohol and drug counsellor, a recovering addict and 
an occasional drinker.

I won't get into the health risks and costs of the very legal 
activity of alcohol use and abuse.

I know many folks who indulge in marijuana.

For varying reasons, I can say that some benefits of marijuana for 
medical purposes are far better, with fewer side effects, than 
prescription drugs that are currently being handed out like candy by doctors.

This summer is the beginning of the referendum process and papers 
have been filed at BC Elections for the legalization of marijuana.

September is the start of the 90-day countdown to obtain 10 per cent 
of the voting population's signatures.

Please take the time to cast your vote.

The folks I know who smoke marijuana or eat marijuana-laced cookies 
are not criminals.

Teena Troock,

Kelowna
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom