Source: The Province (Vancouver, B.C.) Contact: http://www.vancouverprovince.com/newsite/news-c.html Pubdate: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 BOOZE NO BETTER Not only should cannabis be legalized, but government should advocate it as being much less harmful than alcohol. As an emergency medical worker (an X-ray technician) for 20 years, I have seen many overdose victims, including those from alcohol. Excessive drinking can lead to coma and death, but I have never seen anyone overdose on cannabis, nor have I found any such cases in medical journals. The impact of alcohol in emergency departments is well known. We see drunk-driving accidents and fatalities on a regular basis. A lot of violent behavior such as fights and spousal abuse is triggered by drinking. Chronic- and legal - alcohol use leads to many horrible diseases. Cannabis is harmless by comparison. Pot smokers are well known for their peaceful "mellow" behavior and non-violent nature. Psychological dependence can occur, but never the type of addiction that results in devastating withdrawal symptoms. Shopping is also a potential psychological addiction. Should we have a war on shopping? The answer is not more prohibition, but to legalize cannabis and tax it. This would help our overworked RCMP by cutting the cash flow that the gangs need to survive. The tax revenues from this multi-billion dollar industry would solve a lot of problems in Canada, including funding for more and better treatment facilities for hard-drug users. A person who only wants to buy pot should not have to go to a pusher who will try to sell them heroin and cocaine as well. Cannabis should be available at the liquor store and should enjoy the same legal status as booze. Why is it that one person can legally pickle their brain every night with alcohol while the occassional cannabis user is labelled a criminal? Norm Siefken CHILLIWACK - --- Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)