Pubdate: Tue, 10 Sep 2002
Source: Rainy River Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Rainy River Record
Contact:  http://www.RainyRiverRecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2395
Author: Jack Davies
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

ROADSIDE TEST FOR MARIJUANA USE NEEDED

Dear Sir,

Canadians are being asked to pass judgement on the Senate Committee's 
recommendations to legalize marijuana without full consideration being 
given to the fact that there are no known "roadside" tests that law 
enforcement officers can use at the present time to determine whether a 
driver is handicapped by this substance as is the case with alcohol.

Until those tools are provided this proposal is "premature". Proponents of 
legalization will not raise it. Those opposing it may well have other bases 
of disagreement.

The challenge being made here is that the media take a practical look of 
the effect of those sixteen and older having unlimited access to a mood 
modifier that may create as much carnage on the highways as would 
unregulated use of alcohol.

Years ago, they didn't have the .08 (blood/alcohol) level to work with 
either, but they worked at it and it became accepted.

There has got to be a way, or someone should come up with a way, of testing 
marijuana levels that can be proven in court.

Guilty until proven innocent must be the norm applied to full acceptance of 
a new intoxicant into our society.

As yet this aspect of its effect has not been considered.

Sincerely Yours,

Jack Davies, Tillsonburg, Ontario
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager