Pubdate: Wed, 30 Aug 2000 Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2000 The Calgary Sun Contact: 2615 12 Street N.E., Calgary, Alberta T2E 7W9 Fax: (403) 250-4180 Website: http://www.canoe.ca/CalgarySun/ Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html Comment: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk Pubdate: Wed, 30 Aug 2000 Author: Brian Purdy Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n1245/a02.html I AGREE with Licia Corbella's Aug. 27 column on marijuana use. I am old enough, and of course virtuous enough, that I have never used any illegal drug -- not even a single toke. This might well disqualify me from discussing the effects of illegal drugs except for the fact I spent 18 years in the Department of Justice in Vancouver, most of it as a prosecutor or director of prosecutions under the Narcotics Control Act. I also lived most of that time in Kitsilano, and some days you could almost get a contact high just walking down the street. I saw all the effects Corbella described amongst my doper friends and acquaintances. She didn't mention the listlessness and lack of ambition which seems to result from heavy marijuana use. None of the dopers I knew ever rose in the world. Because of the physical effects, I have always opposed the legalization of marijuana. It's one more substance which makes people unproductive. I think we all should contribute to society as best we can, but marijuana users stop thinking about that after a while. Life becomes a park to lie around in and not a road to be travelled. The biggest reason not to legalize marijuana is the corrupting influence it will have on government. The government will soon be hopelessly addicted to the money it produces. Marijuana use will expand greatly if legalized and the government will do little or nothing to stop it. I think we can expect to see more moves from the Liberals towards legalization. I hope Corbella's columns at least slow the process. Brian Purdy (Even the Liberals aren't dumb enough to legalize marijuana -- are they?) - ---