Pubdate: Mon, 03 Nov 2003
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Gregory Cochrane

MARIJUANA SAFETY

Re: Marijuana tops tobacco among teens, Oct. 29.

After reading that teenagers are smoking cannabis more than tobacco, I have 
changed my perspective on regulation. With alcohol and cigarettes, at least 
we know what dangerous chemicals our children might be putting in their 
bodies. But when marijuana is bought on the street, there is no warning on 
the package, no list of ingredients -- it could be laced with impurities.

It is time to adjust to reality. The government must equalize marijuana 
with tobacco. To judge one group's unhealthy habit or form of recreation 
worse than another's is discrimination. We must legalize and regulate 
marijuana, if not for the benefits of taxation and tourism (job creation), 
then for the safety of our children.

Gregory Cochrane,

Orleans 
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MAP posted-by: Perry Stripling