Pubdate: Sat, 10 Aug 2013 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2013 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Rudy Fernandes Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n385/a03.html POT: TO LEGALIZE OR NOT Re: Legalizing pot, endorsing stupidity, Aug. 7 In her own inimitable, candid and confrontational style, Rosie DiManno has waded into the deep end of the marijuana pool. Her observation that: "If nicotine is so destructive of health, surely marijuana is no better," would suggest a surprising lack of appreciation for the facts. While both these are major addiction-causing substances their effects on human health are very different. Cigarette smoking is well accepted as a leading risk factor for a host of highly prevalent diseases leading to very high levels of morbidity and mortality, which is not true with marijuana. Experience in other countries supports Trudeau's logic for legalizing pot possession, regulating it and taxing it. It is good to see that politicians' views can evolve over time, based on facts as well as the changing public opinion among Canadians. Let us hope that many other Star readers will weigh in on this important topic, in an open and unbiased manner. Rudy Fernandes, Mississauga - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom