Pubdate: Tue, 17 Sep 2002
Source: Cambridge Reporter, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Cambridge Reporter
Contact:  http://www.cambridge-reporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1470
Author: Nicholas Ermeta
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

DON'T LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

Re the Senate panel's support for pot legalization. Did they all get
high before the meeting? One would think so with their latest report
that recommends marijuana be legalized.

It should not. Here's why. Marijuana is a harmful substance. It is
more addictive than cigarettes and more hazardous to one's health. It
damages brain cells and makes users go psycho. The side effects are
not worth the intake since they have long-lasting dangerous
consequences to the puffer, no matter how much pain it takes away.

It's a deadly painkiller and one that should never be made legal. It
takes no rocket scientist to figure that out.

Also, in a country that seems to be banning smoking everywhere to
discourage people from starting, does it really make sense to legalize
marijuana?

Just look at the graphic warnings and other proposed methods of
discouraging smoking.

It seems to me like we are going from tobacco to pot and I don't like
it at all. So smarted up Canada! Or else we can expect the maple leaf
to be replaced with cannabis while the potheads smoke away every other
thing that has made our country special.

Nicholas Ermeta, Cambridge
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager