Pubdate: Thu, 29 Aug 2002
Source: NOW Magazine (Canada)
Copyright: 2002 NOW Communications Inc.
Contact:  http://www.nowtoronto.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/282
Author: Douglas Helliker
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1566/a06.html

Law ruins lives

Reefer sadness makes me feel old, really old, when I think that this is the 
same debate 30 years later. There will never be resolution or compromise re 
marijuana: compassionate use for those who suffer from pain or evil drug 
that leads to use of more evil drugs. Of course, one's definition of 
compassion varies from person to person, pain can be relative, and your 
pain is not my problem.

The Compassion Centre should not be surprised by its situation. There is 
the strong influence of American policy. The United States and Canada have 
very different moral and legal views on marijuana. That has never been in 
question. The reality is, more people's lives have been derailed, messed up 
and complicated by criminal records for possession of marijuana than by 
smoking it. Of course, I might just be paranoid about that claim.

Douglas Helliker, Toronto
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