Pubdate: Fri, 05 May 2000
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2000, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  #250, 4990-92 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6B 3A1 Canada
Fax: (780) 468-0139
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonSun/
Forum: http://www.canoe.ca/Chat/home.html
Author: Dean Troyer
Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v00/n591/a01.html
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor; headline by newshawk

MARIJUANA SHOULD BE A PERSONAL MATTER

RE: "NO to pot ticketing," May 3 by Michael Jenkinson. First, let me say 
that editorials are about opinions and the transfer of information. With 
this in mind, let me say I completely agree with his statement that society 
is generally confused about the pot issue. I believe this is due to 
misinformation.

For instance, you take the stance that marijuana is a gateway drug. This is 
what governments were saying a dozen years ago. However, it has been proven 
and accepted that cigarettes are the gateway drug. You see, a pot smoker 
may have four or five puffs on a joint once a month to once a day.

A cigarette smoker on the other hand will have about 15 puffs per 
cigarette, about 25 times a day. That translates as a whopping 375 hits per 
day. This steady consumption of an addictive substance is what makes 
cigarettes the gateway drug. To clarify my stance on marijuana, I'm not 
saying, "Let's all get high." I would no sooner say that than, "Hey, let's 
all get drunk." I'm saying marijuana, along with other life choices, should 
be a personal matter.

Dean Troyer

(That's one view of the matter.)
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