Pubdate: Wed, 30 May 2001
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2001 The Province
Contact:  http://www.vancouverprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Barry Carvish

OF ALL PEOPLE, POLICE SHOULD KNOW THE NOMINAL EFFECTS OF POT

I find it outrageous that the Canadian Police Association would come out 
against liberalizing marijuana laws in Canada. Of all people, they should 
be able to know and see first-hand the nominal effects of marijuana use.

Studies have been conducted by various governments for decades trying to 
prove marijuana's harms, yet no concrete evidence prevails.

Marijuana use is already widespread in Canada, and the majority of citizens 
do not respect the laws banning cannabis.

Youth are mislead by the criminal law into thinking that cannabis is like 
heroin and cocaine, yet when they try cannabis they realize they are not 
being told the truth. I don't want them to think the same about hard drugs.

Furthermore, whether or not cannabis has nominal harms, it should not be up 
to the criminal law to dictate what plants we interact with.

Police officers are not health enforcers. They should not be arresting and 
criminalizing citizens for consensual activities like marijuana use. They 
are hired to serve and protect, not to influence the laws of this country.

It is called a police state when you have police trying to influence the 
government on its drug laws.

Barry Carvish
Victoria
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