Pubdate: Sat, 15 Feb 2003
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.fyiottawa.com/ottsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Chris Buors
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor, headline by newshawk
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v03/n210/a02.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)

HIGH DRIVERS ARE SAFE DRIVERS

RE "COPS out to nip driver in the bud" (Feb. 8):

Const. Brad Burton proves that using terms like "public safety" is like 
using "homeland defense," in the sense that anything can be justified under 
its rubric.

The Senate report concluded "Cannabis alone, particularly in low doses, has 
little effect on the skills involved in automobile driving. Cannabis leads 
to a more cautious style of driving. (Cannabis does have) a negative impact 
on decision time and trajectory (however) this in itself does not mean that 
drivers under the influence of cannabis represent a traffic safety risk."

These petty abuses of authority by the ignorant like Const. Brad Burton 
would evaporate with a little enlightenment of fact. Acting with legal 
authority on ingrained prejudices instead of demonstrated truth is 
unprofessional.

The real question is does an officer who abuses the authority of his 
position deserve to exercise that authority?

Let's hope the Ministry of Transportation reads the reports that 
consistently prove that drivers high on cannabis are safer than those who 
are high on life!

Chris Buors

Winnipeg, Man.

(A driver high on pot is a driver likely to kill -- to believe otherwise is 
both foolish and dangerous)
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager