Pubdate: Wed, 07 Oct 2015
Source: Moose Jaw Times-Herald (CN SN)
Copyright: 2015 The Moose Jaw Times-Herald Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.mjtimes.sk.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2154
Page: A4

OPINION HIJACKS STRAIGHT FACTS

There's no doubting Stephen Harper's intelligence. The man is wise as
he is cunning, and his knowledge of a variety of worldly topics is
impressive, hence one of the reasons why he has served as prime
minister for the past nine years.

But when asked for his two cents on the legalization of marijuana in
Canada, Mr. Harper's personal opinion got in the way of the straight
facts.

The Conservative leader told an audience that 'Marijuana is infinitely
worse' than tobacco in his effort to discourage Canadians from wanting
to legalize the drug.

The truth has smoking as the main factor in the four leading causes of
death in Canada - cancer, heart disease, lung disease and stroke.
Surely, Harper is aware of that fact.

While 85 per cent of lung cancers are linked to smoking, the Canadian
Cancer Society said it needs more evidence to know whether there's a
similar cancer risk posed by smoking marijuana. Therefore, Harper's
comment is based on nothing but personal opinion and not evidence. So
to argue that one is better or worse than the other is inaccurate.

But the Harper government does deserve credit for greatly reducing
tobacco use in this country. Smoking has become taboo over the last
decade.

Much of the real credit, however, goes to provincial and municipal
governments for banning smoking in public places like parks and
restaurants.

In fact, the smoking rate in Canadians aged 15 and older declined from
25 per cent to 16 per cent between 1999 and 2012.

It's no secret Justin Trudeau and the Liberals support the
legalization of marijuana.

The Conservatives, of course, are greatly opposed to the idea, with
Harper saying that regulating the sale of pot in the same way as
cigarettes or alcohol would do nothing to keep it out of the hands of
kids.

Fact is, whether we want to believe it or not, our kids are smoking
pot and have been for years.

According to the statistics, marijuana is the most common illegal drug
used in this country, with nearly 11 per cent of Canadians admitting
to using it. Almost 30 per cent of Canadian youth admitted to using
pot in 2010.

Yes, marijuana use is illegal in Canada, but one would have to believe
that stubbornness is going to change one day down the road. More U.S.
states are moving toward legalizing marijuana, with Colorado and
Washington already on board and experiencing massive booms in state
revenue.

Regardless what side of the argument you support, the fact is that
smoking anything - tobacco or marijuana - isn't healthy. Each has its
own way of deteriorating crucial organs and/brain cells. Both are
expensive and debilitating habits and neither offers anything positive
to the human body or mind.

Smoking tobacco is legal in this country, despite the plethora of
diseases it causes. It's ironic that Harper is so paranoid about
marijuana, a drug that has no proven affiliation to the cancers and
other diseases that have been proven with tobacco use.

It just seems silly to say one is worse than the other when both are
infinitely bad to one's health.
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MAP posted-by: Matt