Pubdate: Tue, 29 Apr 2003
Source: Langley Advance (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc.
Contact:  http://www.langleyadvance.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248
Author: Kirk Muse

MARIJUANA: HEAVY DRINKERS KEPT DRINKING

Dear Editor,

Perhaps some casual drinkers stopped drinking alcohol during the U. S.
alcohol prohibition era [Prohibition cuts consumption, April 25 Letters to
the Editor, Langley Advance News], but the heavy drinkers didn't stop buying
and drinking alcohol.

They just stopped buying their alcohol from legal and regulated sources. As
a result, thousands died and thousands went blind from the bootleg alcohol
known as "bathtub gin."

I know of nobody who advocates the legalization of marijuana, who says that
marijuana has no risks. We just want to be able to assume those risks
ourselves, without threat of going to jail for doing so.

If we are going to criminalize a substance because it is potentially
dangerous, let's be honest and criminalize other much more dangerous
substances, like cheeseburgers, french fries, chocolate, doughnuts, and all
tobacco products.

While you're at it, why not criminalize potentially dangerous activities
like skiing, hockey, fishing, and boating?

For our own good, of course.

Kirk Muse
Mesa, AZ, USA
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MAP posted-by: Josh