Pubdate: Sat, 19 May 2001
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2001 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Jackie Owens

WORSE DEMONS THAN MARIJUANA

Let's wake up and realize that drugs are prevalent in our society
(Reduced sentence clear to drug growers, May 6). Though many are bad
for us, and some do kill, marijuana should not be included on this
list.

The government wants to study what is good and bad about this drug,
but let's face it, any study will prove alcoholics and smokers suffer
far more, and both these legal drugs cost society millions of dollars.

I find deep flaws in our justice system such as that people caught
growing a drug that harms so little are even considered candidates for
our prison system. Do you actually think either system could
rehabilitate these so-called criminals?

The real problem becomes apparent; by keeping this particular drug
illegal, the so-called criminals and the organized gangs keep on
making profits and as long as these profits continue, so will their
businesses.

The only way to start is by harm reduction, and to openly acknowledge
that there are worse demons we need to rid society of, and legalize
it.

Jackie Owens, Winnipeg
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MAP posted-by: Andrew