Pubdate: Thu, 05 Jun 2003
Source: Mission City Record (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 The Mission City Record
Contact:  http://www.missioncityrecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1305
Author: Carol Aun

PROPOSED POT LAWS WORTH EXPLORING

When I walk down some Vancouver streets, such as Davie and Robson, I see 
people light up joints just as often as others light up cigarettes. People 
seem oblivious to the fact that marijuana is illegal.

At large public events, such as the annual fireworks show at English Bay, I 
always sit near someone smoking up. Maybe it's just my seating choices, but 
it seems to me more people smoke marijuana than cigarettes at these events.

We all know by now smoking cigarettes and marijuana causes serious health 
problems. Cigarettes, and cigars for that matter, are so widely used that 
it's accepted by society. Now marijuana is growing in popularity and the 
federal government is taking steps to update its drug laws.

Few would argue Canada's drug laws and policies need to change, but is 
decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana the solution? Handing out 
tickets for smoking pot is an idea worth exploring, but I do not agree with 
the way the government is doing it.

People smoke pot openly because they know they are not likely to be taken 
to court over one or two joints. Handing out tickets is a penalty they will 
have to deal with, otherwise, (hopefully) they will be taken to court. What 
I don't agree with is the way the government is proposing to divide up the 
amount a person is fined based on their age.

If you're old enough to smoke, you're old enough to deal with the 
consequences. There's no difference when it come to breaking the law while 
driving. Smoking pot when you're older is not worst than smoking pot when 
you're young.

But it is when people are young that they try marijuana and get hooked. It 
is when they are young that they should learn smoking pot is not good and 
it will get you in trouble.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart