To the editor: This letter is in response to the article "Recurring theme" posted on tbnewswatch.com on Jan. 20. "Nicholson said while critics of the bill say it targets the individuals who have become addicted or someone who has a few marijuana plants in their kitchen, he said it is solely about traffickers and is aimed specifically at organized crime." One pot plant in a rented unit will get you nine months mandatory jail time and making pot brownies will get you six months. Look it up. That is aimed at your kids, Canada, not organized crime. [continues 306 words]
The O.P.P. are cracking down on the shipping of contraband intoxicants into remote First Nations communities in Northwestern Ontario. Police have issued a warning to anyone contemplating the transportation of alcohol, drugs or other intoxicants on the winter roads system. Sergeant Deb Tully-Waffler says O.P.P. and the Nishnawbe-Aski Police Service are conducting random enforcement on various winter roads for the rest of the season. Tully-Waffler says violators should be aware they face the forfeiture of their vehicles if they are caught supplying, selling, bartering or manufacturing intoxicants on a First Nation. Hub communities for the 1700-kilometre winter road network include Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Pickle Lake. [end]
To the editor: I would like to correct some misleading quotes of Joseph Califano, chairman of the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, used by John M. Conrod (Stop The Decriminalization Of Marijuana, May 30, 2003). Joseph Califano does not allow peer review of his research. In the U. S. he is quoted only by those payrolled by the drug war. Mr. Conrod quotes the "gateway theory" and links schizophrenia, damaged memory, motor skills and ability to concentrate to cannabis use. [continues 176 words]
To the editor: I look forward to the imminent decriminalization of marijuana. I've always been curious about trying pot, but the fear of a criminal record has stopped me from pursing it. I could loose my firearms license if I had a record, and wouldn't be able to hunt and shoot, my two favourite activities. (until now, anyway!) Perhaps someone could tell me where I could find a dependable drug dealer, as I am inexperienced in this area. What a great country we live in! In closing, I ask that my name be withheld so I won't look like a hypocrite when I tell my kids to say no to drugs. Name withheld by request [end]
To the editor: I'm writing about John M. Conrod's not so thoughtful letter: "Stop the Decriminalization of Marijuana (May 30, 2003). Since at least 50 per cent of all Canadian and U. S. high school students will use marijuana before they graduate, the "rite of passage" is already with us. The forbidden fruit appeal creates the "rite of passage." In theNetherlands, where marijuana is available to adults without criminal sanctions,and the Dutch youth use marijuana and other drugs at substantially lower rates than either Canadian or U. S. youths do. Please see the web site:http://www.drugwarfacts.org/thenethe.htm [continues 69 words]
Dear Sirs: Joseph Califaro is chairman of the National Centre on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University. He says that decriminalization of marijuana would send a signal to Canadian teens that smoking pot can be seen as a rite of passage. Whatever else it may be, that it is not. Smoking pot is a dangerous game of Russian roulette that can ruin young lives and devastate parents. That is why Canadians should reject any proposals to decriminalize this dangerous drug. [continues 160 words]
To the Editor: Regarding last week's editorial, Canadians love their pot, I couldn't disagree more with your contention that decriminalizing marijuana possession would be a positive step. Besides allowing the children of the rich to use marijuana and still become doctors and lawyers like Mummy and Daddy, what exactly are the gains to be had from decriminalizing marijuana? Will organized crime withdraw from the marijuana business? No. Will marijuana growers stop stealing hydro? No. Will enforcement costs go down? No. [continues 255 words]
A House of Commons committee has recommended Canadians rethink the way they look at marijuana, and has indicated it would like to see possession of 30 grams or less of the narcotic decriminalized. In effect it will be treated like a traffic offense, with those caught within the boundaries handed a ticket instead of a criminal record and the baggage that goes along with one. Of course there will be a huge uproar across the country as people leap to their feet - well, at least those not under the influence - to demand the government not go along with the findings, but it's time to face reality. Canadian love their pot. It's plain to see that users will continue to use regardless of which side of the law they have to tread, so why fight a losing battle? [continues 286 words]
The Editor, In his one man's opinion article (Editorials) on November 22, Rick Smith makes the false claims that marijuana use is more harmful than other drugs such as tobacco and is more likely to cause violence, compared to alcohol. The World Health Organization(WHO) released a study in March 1998. It states: "there are good reasons for saying that [the risks from cannabis] would be unlikely to seriously[compare to] the public health risk of alcohol and tobacco even if as many people used cannabis as now drink alcohol or smoke tobacco." [continues 184 words]
The Editor, I am writing you about the current decision by the senate standing committee to legalize marijuana. I am going to sound like a nerd because the position I'm taking is unpopular with the current popular culture. Also, I think that if marijuana is legalized it would be like opening a Pandora's box, that once open, it will never be able to be closed again. I was surprised when I heard in the news that a senate standing committee recommended to the current government that small possession of marijuana should be legalized to any person 16 years or older. [continues 137 words]
