Pubdate: Fri, 17 Aug 2001
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Mack McLeod

FORGET COMPASSION, USE COMMON SENSE

Editor:

I am responding to Dale Bass' Aug. 5 story, headlined "Wait to die."

This is exactly what proponents of medical marijuana have been saying about 
the new regulations. It's simply more red tape between the sick and their 
medicine. In this particular case, a most cruel execution of regulations 
over common sense should result in a lawsuit against the government for 
denying treatment to a dying person.

The government has no business using the word "compassion." Their business 
is creating rules to govern millions of people in varied situations and 
those rules are heavily weighted toward avoiding substance abuse.

Caregivers, nurses and other close-contact practitioners are the only ones 
in a position to exercise compassion in such cases. Yet, we don't permit 
these people to "prescribe" medications.

I have voiced my opinion to government, as a middle-aged taxpayer who has 
lived my entire life in this country. The government should get tough on 
crime and legalize cannabis.

Remove the profits from the criminal domain and eliminate all legal 
opposition to the use of pot for adults. Reap the tax and employment 
rewards of a newly legitimized industry.

Allow the sick to take their doctors' advice or choose for themselves as we 
are taught we have the right to do in a free society. Forget compassion; 
try a little common sense in the application of the principles of 
fundamental justice in a free society.

The government has no right to make someone criminal for a behaviour as 
benign as using cannabis.

Mack McLeod
Kamloops
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart