Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jun 2003
Source: Rainy River Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Rainy River Record
Contact:  http://www.RainyRiverRecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2395
Author:  Eugene Hines

TRUTHS ABOUT CANNABIS ARE SURFACING

Dear Editor,

"Has the prime minister gone to pot?"

That statement just blew me away. How can they use that as a rationale for 
decriminalizing a drug that is known  to be a catalyst for even heavier 
drug use? But they did.

I think that you will find that all credible studies with regard to this 
point show that Cannabis is not a catalyst aka a gateway substance. The 
individuals involved (generally with personality / psychological problems 
anyway) go on to use other addictive substances.  As a percentage of 
overall users of Cannabis this is very small.

Remember! Cannabis itself is not, physically addictive whereas alcohol, 
nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, heroine and a number of other substances are.

It would be to the editors credit that they research the facts about 
Cannabis and publish an article setting the record straight. There are a 
number of bona-fide 'independent' sources available. Then, I think that 
your community can form a realistic approach toward Cannabis.

The unfortunate thing is that since it's prohibition, Cannabis has been 
used as a political football by some very destructive zealots basing their 
justifications and demonizations on various myths (lies could be read 
here), prejudices and personal (public) edification. This has been 
primarily instigated by the US for the last 70 years. Fortunately the 
truths about Cannabis are surfacing which is why many countries and even 
States south of the boarder are or have already decriminalizing.

By the way, the writer believes that Cannabis , like alcohol, has no place 
in the society of the young, workplace or operation of machinery. The use 
of this natural substance by adults is a personal choice.

We need laws to protect children - by all means - but prohibition is not a 
way to control Cannabis - it is a fruitless endeavour and infringes on our 
freedoms and rights as Canadians.

Thank you

Eugene Hines

(Canadian working in the UK - Age 56)
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MAP posted-by: Alex