Pubdate: Fri, 06 Jun 2003
Source: Thunder Bay Post (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Thunder Bay Post
Contact:  http://www.tbsource.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2547
Author: Kirk Muse

READER RESPONDS TO MARIJUANA DEBATE

To the editor:

I'm writing about John M. Conrod's not so thoughtful letter: "Stop the 
Decriminalization of Marijuana (May 30, 2003). Since at least 50 per cent 
of all Canadian and U. S. high school students will use marijuana before 
they graduate, the "rite of passage" is already with us.

The forbidden fruit appeal creates the "rite of passage." In 
theNetherlands, where marijuana is available to adults without criminal 
sanctions,and the Dutch youth use marijuana and other drugs at 
substantially lower rates than either Canadian or U. S. youths do. Please 
see the web site:http://www.drugwarfacts.org/thenethe.htm

If you want to keep marijuana as a criminalized substance because of its 
potential danger, please be honest and criminalize other potentially 
dangerous substances like doughnuts, cheeseburgers and a long list of other 
potentially dangerous foods.

While you're at it shouldn't you criminalize potentially dangerous 
activities such as hockey, skiing and skating?

For everybody's own good, of course.

Kirk Muse, Mesa, AZ
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom