Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jun 2003
Source: Lindsay This Week (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Lindsay This Week
Contact:  http://www.lindsaythisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2213
Author: Pastor Ken Gorham

NEW POT LAW IS 'LUDICROUS': READER

To the editor:

In regards to Scott Howard "Ranting and Raving."

Personally as an ex-mainline addict, I find the proposed new marijuana law 
totally ludicrous. In all my years, I have never met one junkie (heroin 
addict) or speed freak (methamphetamine) who did not start down the road 
into their personal Hell of addiction first on marijuana. I do realize some 
cocaine and crack cocaine addicts have taken a different route but two 
wrongs still don't make a right.

We live in an age where the government and local municipalities, cities and 
towns are going smoke-free and here is a supposed law encouraging people to 
smoke dope. Is it more healthy? I think not.

Next line of cow manure: please don't tell an ex-addict that a person's 
driving abilities are the same while smoking dope or not. If that is the 
case then maybe they shouldn't be driving at all.

Recently I saw an MP from the Liberal party on the news with a comment, 
"When you can stand before Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and prove 
to them there will not be another grieving mother from the effects of the 
carnage created by someone high on pot behind the wheel, maybe then and 
then only, will he vote for that bill." I certainly hope that is the same 
opinion of our local MP O'Reilly.

All across Canada, law enforcement agencies are doing their best to send a 
message to organized crime, we do not want you or what you stand for in our 
communities, and then in the next breath --this new law tells them, grow 
more pot guaranteed more revenue because demand will be up-- isn't that a 
mixed message?

Chief Randy Martin gave me his personal opinion. We cannot begin to control 
problems created by alcohol consumption, why would any police agency or 
organization want to add another negative into that already ugly picture. 
We do not need to change our laws, there is ample opportunities to address 
penalties within the current legislation. Stiffer penalties would make 
people think twice before venturing into something illegal.

Let us look at a couple of examples if this proposed law was to be passed. 
It would be okay for the surgeon performing heart surgery on you to have a 
few tokes to calm himself down before operating on you. Okay for the 
dentist doing root canal to go out for a toke break and then back to 
drilling out your tooth. Okay for the pilot of the 747 you are flying on to 
do a couple of numbers before taking off with you and your family seated 
comfortably, looking forwards to that long-awaited vacation. Sounds 
ludicrous -- so does the proposed law.

There you go Scott, a little ranting and raving from someone who has been 
there.

Addiction is no life at all and whether you accept the fact or not, 
marijuana is but a gateway to hard drugs.

Pastor Ken Gorham

Lindsay

The rules have gone to 'pot' you're saying?
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom