Pubdate: Wed, 31 Jul 2002
Source: Grand Forks Gazette (CN BC)
Page: 7
Copyright: 2002 Sterling Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.sterlingnews.com/Forks
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/525
Author: Wayne Phillips

LAWS AGAINST POT A MISTAKE

Editor, The Gazette:

Re: Two sides to marijuana (July 3, 2002) - Marijuana, the edge of the 
wedge, huh, just like cocaine and "Heroine," eh?

About a month ago, Dr. Patrick Smith of the Centre for Addiction and Mental 
Health told the Senaate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that: "If we 
discovered three drugs today and they were alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, 
there isn't an expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana be 
the one that is banned on individual and societal harm." (Doc says pot is 
less harmful than booze and tobacco, calls for legalization, June 7, 2002, 
Windsor Star)

The prohibition of cannabis has demonstrated itself to be an ineffective 
law that is neither a deterrent to youth or to marijuana growers.

If there isn't an expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana 
would be the one that is banned based on individual and societal harm, then 
the prohibition of cannabis is a mistake that must end.

Wayne Phillips

Hamilton, Ontario
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