Pubdate: Fri, 25 Oct 2013
Source: Coast Reporter (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Coast Reporter
Contact:  http://www.coastreporter.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/580
Author: Joe Vechter

A SENSIBLE APPROACH IS NEEDED

Editor:

Regarding last week's letter about adolescent cannabis consumption 
and the petition by Sensible B.C., the writer refers to New Zealand 
studies where the IQ scores of adolescents 'can lose eight points' 
with cannabis consumption.

The petition before B.C. citizens is to eliminate the current form of 
prohibition. The petition does not promote in any way consumption of 
cannabis by adolescents (or anyone).

Prohibition does not work. It is an expensive, needless cost on 
society. Space restrictions prevent me from quoting numerous studies 
or famous experts on prohibition, except to paraphrase economist 
Milton Friedman, prohibition is a subsidy to drug dealers.

Studies have also shown in countries where prohibition of cannabis 
has been revoked, per capita participation actually declined. It is 
therefore not a certainty that the end of cannabis prohibition in 
B.C. will lead to a stoned out, low IQ society.

Cannabis may reduce IQ scores, but so do many other legal and illegal 
substances.

I personally don't want our citizens having to live with the threat 
of a criminal record and incarceration over a puff. Doesn't that 
sound sensible?

Joe Vechter

Halfmoon Bay
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom