Pubdate: Mon, 06 Mar 2017
Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017, The Belleville Intelligencer
Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/letters
Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332
Author: Larry Comeau
Page: B2

LEGALIZED POT WILL PRODUCE PROBLEMS

When Trudeau first floated the idea of legalizing marijuana, he
obviously had two things in mind: getting the votes of those wanting
to smoke it legally and the billions it would bring his government.

He obviously neglected to realize that if we cannot keep legalized
tobacco products and alcohol out of the hands of our youth, how on
earth does he think legalizing this drug will accomplish that? Once
you make marijuana more easily accessible with legalization and remove
the stigma from it more youths will get involved. Studies are finding
young kids are getting marijuana in Colorado where it is legal and a
big increase in traffic deaths since pot legalization took place.

Another point Trudeau erroneously raises is legalization will keeps it
out of the hands of organized crime, when in fact the exact opposite
will happen. Everywhere pot has been legalized, e.g. Colorado,
Amsterdam, Washington State, organized crime groups have quickly
become involved. In Canada, organized crime groups already have
networks for distributing cigarettes and will simply switch to pot
which will yield more profits, and will supply it to our youths. I
have also seen where Mexican drug cartels are eyeing legalization to
move operations into Canada. Get ready for border tightening as the
Trump Administration just announced tougher enforcement of laws
dealing with marijuana.

Although the Canadian Medical Association has said nobody should be
able to buy marijuana under the age of 21, Trudeau is setting the age
at 18. This, in spite of studies showing those using this drug at an
early age run a greatly enhanced risk of developing psychosis and
other mental issues later in life. Trudeau should have listened to his
own mother who said quitting smoking pot was the best thing she did to
help with her bi-polar disorder.

Our ailing health care services are already stretched treating those
abusing legalized tobacco and alcohol products. Legalizing marihuana
will certainly add to this. Anyone thinking heavy pot users won't
suffer similar diseases as those addicted to tobacco products are from
fantasy land. Like so many ideas Trudeau comes up with, they never
fully seem thought out. Legalizing marijuana will not only have a huge
impact on our ailing health care services, but society as a whole.

Let's face it, we will become only the second country next to Uruguay
to go down this dangerous legalization path, which in itself speaks
volumes.

Larry Comeau

Ottawa
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MAP posted-by: Matt