Pubdate: Tue, 09 Jan 2018 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2018, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Hugh Baker Page: A9 MANY LOOKING FORWARD TO MARIJUANA'S LEGALIZATION To the editor: Re: Legalized marijuana will be a gateway drug, Letters, Dec. 28. I read with interest the opinion that marijuana will lead to becoming a junkie. From the age of 25 to around the age of 55, I smoked pot every day. I never encountered the day the marijuana failed to get me high. Some strains were more effective than others, but with the hundreds of fellow smokers I met over this time, only a few would go on cocaine benders but never made it a habit. There were doctors, lawyers, mechanics, school teachers and just about every walk of life who enjoyed a puff every day. In my life I have seen many more lives ravaged by booze than pot. For myself I ceased smoking when my move to the city and the illegal nature of this drug did not go well together. I don't do hard drugs and believe myself relatively 'normal.' However I hope to smoke or ingest pot again when it becomes legal as it is a marvelous pain medication. Myself and many others hope this new law comes to pass. Hugh Baker, Nanaimo - --- MAP posted-by: Matt