Pubdate: Sat, 22 Apr 2017 Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON) Copyright: 2017 Postmedia Network Inc. Contact: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326 Author: Muneer Ahmad Khan Page: D7 THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH LEGALIZED POT Drugs should be used as a last option. By making cannabis more available, we are promoting it as a first option. Dr. John Goodhew, who supports cannabis use for therapeutic applications, such as pain, says it can be difficult for physicians to filter out those who want the drug just to get high. It's no surprise that more and more Canadians are asking their doctors for medical marijuana. And we cannot deny the harmful effects of the drug. We should focus our energy on why Canadians turn to marijuana and help them leave it, as much as possible. Gilbert Brulotte, former chairman of the Canadian Construction Association, said the law may lead to increased accident rates on job sites. Brulotte acknowledged marijuana use by construction workers has been a safety problem for a long time. Identifying the real problem and stopping it at the outset is the real solution. Muneer Ahmad Khan, Orleans - --- MAP posted-by: Matt