Pubdate: Sat, 07 Sep 2002 Source: Globe and Mail (Canada) Copyright: 2002, The Globe and Mail Company Page: A20 Contact: http://www.globeandmail.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168 Authors: Dana W. Hanson and Bill Campbell Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1657/a05.html Cited: Canadian Medical Association http://www.cma.ca/ Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine http://www.csam.org/ DON'T LEGALIZE POT Ottawa -- The Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine believe that moving ahead with any change to the legal status of marijuana, before development of a national drug strategy, is irresponsible and potentially harmful to the health of Canadians (Senators Want Pot Legalized -- Sept. 5). As physicians, all too often we see first-hand the harmful effects of drug addiction. As a society, our goal should be to end drug addiction. The CMA and the CSAM are concerned that the recent report from the Senate that recommends the legalization of marijuana runs contrary to this goal. The CMA and CSAM are not suggesting criminal prosecution of those people found to be in possession of small amounts of marijuana. In fact, we are not opposed to decriminalization, as long as it is done in conjunction with a national drug strategy that promotes awareness and prevention and provides for ample treatment. The safety and long-term effects of marijuana use are not fully understood. However, what we do know causes concern. We therefore urge the government to first implement a comprehensive national drug strategy before moving ahead with any changes to marijuana's legal status. DANA W. HANSON, president, Canadian Medical Association BILL CAMPBELL, president, Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine, Ottawa - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake