Pubdate: Mon, 06 Dec 2004
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Mindanao Times.
Contact:  http://www.mindanaotimes.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Author: RBJ
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

LEGALIZING MARIJUANA IS A MISTAKE - DILG

To legalize the use of marijuana, considered as an illegal drug, will be a 
huge blunder for government, said Rodolfo Razul, regional director of the 
Department of Interior and Local Government.

This was his reaction to the proposal at the House of Representatives that 
marijuana should be deleted from the list of illegal drugs.

Ifugao Representative Solomon Chungalao proposed for the legalization of 
the use of marijuana because, in an interview with a national paper, he had 
"wondered why some of his fellow Cordillerans would risk going to jail by 
cultivating and transporting marijuana."

Chungalao was, however, overwhelmed by the adverse reactions from the 
police, the Catholic Church and other sectors.

Razul said government must oppose moves to legalize the use of marijuana.

This is in consonance with the position of Interior Secretary and Dangerous 
Drugs Board chair Angelo Reyes who said last month there will be no let up 
in the campaign against marijuana plantation.

Reyes said the campaign against marijuana being waged by the PDEA and other 
law enforcement agencies must be sustained until all marijuana plantations 
in the country are destroyed and eradicated.

Marijuana is said to be a "gateway drug" which introduces the user to other 
illegal drugs through social interaction with other drug using peers, and 
exposure to other drugs when purchasing it.

According to the World Health Organization, the major potential health 
risks of marijuana use is its effects on cognitive and psychomotor performance.

"Intoxication produces dose-related impairments in a wide range of 
cognitive and behavioral functions that are relevant to a skilled 
performance like driving an automobile or operating machinery. These 
include: slowed reaction time and information processing, impaired 
perceptual-motor coordination and motor performance, impaired short term 
memory, signal detection, tracking behavior and slowed time perception," 
WHO said.
- ---