Pubdate: Mon, 09 Sep 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Ryan Harmer, Mark Strong

OPPONENTS OF LEGALIZED POT ARE OUT OF TOUCH

Marijuana a gateway drug? If so, it's not the first gate. When I was a 
teenager 10 years ago, the kids who smoked pot were generally kids who 
smoked and drank already. That isn't to say that anyone who has a cigarette 
will eventually move on to a joint. I do feel, however, that 
decriminalizing pot will take away the stigma of committing a criminal offence.

Although I don't believe that any drug "use" should be deemed as a criminal 
activity, I believe that decriminalizing marijuana will lessen the 
association others may find between it and harder, dangerous drugs such as 
cocaine and heroin. This is especially true for future generations who will 
only have heard about the prohibition of marijuana.

Ryan Harmer Langley

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The Canadian Alliance has demonstrated yet again it is out of touch with 
the values of Canadians with our own local curmudgeon Randy White's 
comments about the marijuana policy advocated by a Senate committee.

I want an option to our arrogant federal Liberals, but the Alliance keeps 
proving it is out of touch with the vast majority of Canadians.

The report by the Senate was brave to say the least and it was no surprise 
the "usual suspects" -- read the Canadian Police Federation -- would 
condemn it using decades-old, worn-out anecdotal evidence instead of proven 
science and common sense. After all, the policy, if enacted, may cost them 
jobs.

To see Stephen Harper and Randy White jump on the broken-down cart informs 
all that -- to paraphrase Pogo -- the enemy is (not) us, but the people who 
wish to impart their moralistically narrow social values upon the rest of us.

I don't smoke the stuff any more (guess I beat that nasty addiction thing), 
but I don't trust people who can honestly say that they never have.

Mark Strong Vancouver
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