Pubdate: Fri, 11 Aug 2000
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2000 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  1355 Mountain Avenue, Winnipeg Manitoba R2X 3B6
Fax: (204) 697-7288
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Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Author: Chris Buors

DRUG USE SHOULD BE INDIVIDUAL CHOICE

The editorial Marijuana and the law expresses undying devotion to the
therapeutic state of modern-day Canada. It completely ignores the
argument of those who see medical marijuana as the fatal compromise in
the struggle for drug freedom. The editors completely ignore that
cannabis has had 10,000 years of historical use and that cannabis
tinctures were commonplace in medicines before they were outlawed in
1923.

Libertarians who believe in freedom and responsibility for one's own
actions are not impressed with the further medicalization of life.
Would you like to pay the doctor a visit every time you wanted a beer,
a cup of coffee or tea? Those are socially acceptable drugs that are
used in our everyday ceremonies. I wonder why the concept that drug
use is more ceremonial than recreational never sees the light of day
even though the British and Chinese are upfront and call their drug
taking "ceremonies."

There has never been a reasonable argument made to criminalize
drug-taking. Every argument ever made was demonization propaganda or
racist diatribe. It is long past due we send the children the timeless
message of moderation in all things and that temptation is ever
present. Responsibility for the consequences of drug usage should be
an individual decision made by free men.

CHRIS BUORS,
Winnipeg
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