Pubdate: Wed, 16 Apr 2014
Source: Peace Arch News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 David Hutchinson
Contact:  http://www.peacearchnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1333
Author: David Hutchinson
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n303/a04.html
Note: 2 of 2 letters

MARIJUANA STANCE DOESN'T ADD UP

Editor:

Re: Pot laws need adjusting, April 3 column.

Some simple research of Health Canada figures for B.C. compared and
aligned against statistics from the BC Coroners Service makes
interesting reading and puts the truth out there.

We are being systematically misled by journalists and fire chiefs,
whom I suspect have either failed to properly research this matter,
are failing to do their professional duty or, potentially, have other
agendas.

The figures reveal that while personal-use production licenses (PUPLs)
in B.C. increased sixfold in the five-year period 2007-2011, during
that same period the number of fatalities in fires fell by more than
30 per cent.

However, the hyperbole and frequent reference to claims that fire
risks are 24-times higher for patients growing cannabis is little more
than shameful.

Furthermore, if the ratio of fatalities to PUPLs in 2007 had
continued, the number of fatalities would have risen from 33 to 212 -
when it actually fell to just 20.

As well, if 'experts' could cite references for the marijuana mould
catastrophe that is presumably causing mass hospitalizations and
sickness, their opinions might carry some weight with the people of
B.C.

I suspect no such catastrophic situation exists.

David Hutchinson, Surrey 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D