Pubdate: Sat, 13 Aug 2005
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: The Windsor Star 2005
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Kevin Bowen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

EVEN SENATE IS BEHIND LEGALIZATION OF POT

Liz Philp's apparent disdain for Marc Emery's Aug. 10 letter might be 
warranted in her view, but should not lead her to conclude that pot causes 
damage.

The news release, accompanying the Senate's recent 600-page report, carries 
the title Senate Committee Recommends Legalization of Cannabis and starts 
its second paragraph with, "Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates 
that cannabis is substantially less harmful than alcohol ..."

Chapter Six of the report concludes: "... cannabis itself is not a cause of 
other drug use ..." "... cannabis itself is not a cause of delinquency and 
crime; and "... cannabis is not a cause of violence."

If an individual acts politically to defend the interests of the oppressed, 
and clearly medical users are being oppressed by the state given the above 
words of our Senate, why does Ms. Philps find it such a stretch that an 
activist/politician draws a parallel to his own work with that of others, 
like Nelson Mandela, who have acted on behalf of oppressed minorities?

Kevin Bowen

Windsor 
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MAP posted-by: Beth