Pubdate: Wed, 09 Jul 2003
Source: Mississauga News (CN ON)
Copyright: The Mississauga News 2003
Contact:  http://www.mississauganews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268
Author: Ken Rimmer
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n995/a07.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

ALL THE FACTS

Dear Editor:

In your recent story, Owen Sound Police Chief Thomas Kaye said, "Drinking a
beer while driving a motor vehicle is an offense, while smoking a marijuana
cigarette while driving is not!"

Well I really wish newspapers would start doing some research before
printing facts that are not true. In the Special Senate Committee report on
drugs it was stated that there are laws that prohibit driving while
intoxicated. I never see a commercial on television from Health Canada
stating that it is illegal to drive impaired even on prescription drugs; why
is that? Doesn't this fall under education or public safety?

With very little evidence that marijuana does in fact impair driving, it is
a farce to demand tougher legislation to control it.

References made to an accident involving a car full of teens is not
justification. A car load of teens could be viewed as an accident waiting to
happen, regardless of drugs or alcohol. This is not an attack on teen
drivers, just reality.

In regards to evidence clearly indicating that organized crime is heavily
involved in marijuana growing operations, he forgot to mention the evidence
that exists indicating that prohibition is the root cause. We see very
little illegal involvement in the production of alcohol in our neighborhoods
as was the case during prohibition.

Finally, I would like to point out this government has had three years since
the first marijuana related case called the laws unconstitutional, and
government failed to rectify the situation. Is he implying that law abiding
citizens should refrain from challenging laws that this government refuses
to change while they infringe on our freedom and rights to a natural
medicine? It is my opinion that the courts are working in favor of our
citizens by preserving our rights.

Ken Rimmer

Canadian Medical Marijuana Association

Elgin, P.Q.
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