Pubdate: Sat, 12 Nov 2016
Source: South Peace News, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2016 South Peace News
Contact:  http://www.southpeacenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2261
Author: Tyler Robinson

PROHIBITION A PROVEN FAILURE

RE: "The coming legalization of pot doesn't make it right" by Mac
Olsen, Oct. 26, South Peace News

As I read this article, the only thing I could picture was some old
man, shaking his finger, uttering, "marijuana is bad!"

This kind of close-minded, knee-jerk reaction is exactly the kind of
response I've come to expect from people who don't do their homework.
They operate off ancient and expired ideas that harm the progress of
society.

I won't waste a lot time countering Olsen's arguments. They're the
usual lackluster ideas that fall flat when scrutinized.

Olsen says marijuana is just like all the other drugs! Not really.
Sure, it has its risks, but it's several times less toxic than alcohol
and even less addictive than caffeine and nicotine.

The "potential" of stoned drivers was also presented as a danger,
which is completely unfounded, seeing how it's already illegal.

And Olsen says he can find information to destroy the opinion that
there are no risks in using marijuana, yet he doesn't present any.

I will. Of course, there are risks. You may become addicted if you use
too much over too long of a period. Same is true of coffee or sugary
snack foods.

There are other risks, of course, but they are certainly minor enough
that the decision to use should be left to the individual, not the
government.

That aside, what about the benefits? What about marijuana's medical
applications? Studies have shown that cannabis usage can shrink
aggressive brain tumours, reduce seizures, reduce spasticity in
sufferers of multiple sclerosis, the list goes on.

Then we can consider the monetary effects. I don't know about Canada,
but research I've read shows the US spends an average of $3.6 billion
a year on enforcing the current laws. This is in contrast to a place
like Colorado, where weed is legal, and they made $76 million in their
first year of sales [$30.5 million went back to the taxpayers through
government programs].

The legalization of marijuana will create revenue, jobs, enhanced
medical programs, as well as ease the strain on the legal system.
There are literally no downsides to this.

Despite what Olsen may think, legalization will not create chaos.
Consider Colorado again, which has seen a decrease in violent crimes
and property crime since their new law was passed.

Every one of these facts can be found on Google. There are piles of
articles, studies and research done on the benefits of this idea of
legalization and marijuana itself. The only people who are opposed to
this change are those stuck in the past and too close-minded to
consider the benefits.

Tyler Robinson, Slave Lake
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MAP posted-by: Matt