Pubdate: Thu, 15 May 2003
Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.aldergrovestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989
Author: Harry Fisher
Note: Title by MAP Editor

PUZZLED BY TIRADE AGAINST MARIJUANA

Editor, The Star:

Rob Wilton's tirade against marijuana (5/8) contains some puzzling 
statements. He writes: "Some short-sighted people believe they have a right 
to consume whatever they want because it is their bodies. Well, they have 
the same rights as I to not to wear a seat-belt while driving, or a helmet 
while riding a motorcycle. Smoking pot is not an activity isolated to the 
user." But this example shows that it is isolated to the user. Not wearing 
a seat belt hurts the driver, not whatever he impacts. The same goes with 
the helmet.

Of course, Wilton never asks, "Why, if this is such an evil, incapacitating 
drug, do millions of working people enjoy smoking it?" It cannot be that 
they are all less intelligent than Mr. Wilton. Even Mensa requires only the 
98th percentile, which is roughly that you're "smarter" than 97 out of a 
hundred. Mr. Wilton, clearly, is smarter than millions.

To compound the confusion, the letter ends with "Marijuana is big business, 
gang-controlled and always will be, as long as it's illegal somewhere." Is 
this a recommendation to legalize, or an approval of gang control? Wilton 
needs to solve such contradictions before he can be taken seriously in the 
matter of cannabis and the law.

HARRY D. FISHER,

Woodland Hills, CA
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MAP posted-by: Beth