Pubdate: Sun, 13 Nov 2016
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Ken Oler
Page: A6

WHERE'S THE 'RECREATION' IN RECREATIONAL POT SMOKING?

Let's consider the "recreation" achieved from smoking pot and having
it available like tobacco and liquor to the adults and teens of any
ages.

Laws have certainly not prevented a significant number of teens from
getting to both of these hallucinatory, disabling and addictive
substances. Obviously it is the gateway to heavier deadly illegal
drugs. They use it because they want a "high" and then get addicted.

Legalization will not choke off organized crime. They function well
enough now with our weak laws and enforcement. The drug dealers are
jumping in their shoes for this legalization proposal. Their business
will increase greatly and they will carry on the same as now. Most of
that proposed billion dollars in tax revenue will be go to
rehabilitation for the many more addicted marijuana and heavy drug
users and increased enforcement costs of impaired and addiction crimes
that will result.

Money can't cover the heartbreak and suffering of the other victims -
parents of children who tried the pot and then moved on to the heavier
drugs and burned their brains. We all know friends and family who are
experiencing this. Addiction, brain damage and criminal actions to
support the "recreation" habit. Also include the broken marriages and
children affected by divorce.

Trudeau says, "It was always about public health, public safety." He
is right, but not in the direction he is trying to sell us on. Fatal
auto crashes from marijuana intoxication in Washington state "more
than doubled between 2013 and 2014." "One in six drivers involved in a
fatal crash had marijuana in their bloodstream." It was legalized
there in 2012.

Government and other interested groups are downplaying the negative
effects of this change of laws. Why? Hoping to get votes or enjoying
the "recreation"? Maybe tax revenues and commercial industry? They
don't seem to have stifled local illegal cultivation of crops here in
Canada yet and there is still a great import business occurring. Of
course they prompt advantages, leaving out the real negative results.

What is the "recreation"? Hallucination/intoxication, impaired
actions, driving and other, addiction and often moving on to other
heavy drugs and the life-wrecking results to user and loved ones. Too
many adults and children are so negatively impacted by drugs and other
addictions today, we don't need more.

Ken Oler

Lethbridge
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MAP posted-by: Matt