Pubdate: Thu, 07 Sep 2006
Source: StarPhoenix, The (CN SN)
Copyright: 2006 The StarPhoenix
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/saskatoon/starphoenix/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/400
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v06/n1141/a03.html
Author: Ethan Erkiletian

ARTICLE GEARED TO JUSTIFY CONTINUED CANNABIS BAN

Re: Journal articles link marijuana to schizophrenia (SP, Aug., 28). 
Over the past decades, we have been told a number of lies about 
cannabis that continued to justify its prohibition.

We were told its quality of pure evil would make black men look twice 
at white women and drive young, middle-class students to madness. 
More recently we have been subjected to such nonsense as the idea 
that cannabis will cause cancer, laziness and a diminished IQ.

Seeing as these lies have been exposed, it is somewhat understandable 
that some of us are not so ready to take at face value a link between 
cannabis and schizophrenia.

Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that a goodly portion of 
society is thus endangered. Why is it that people must be forced to 
regulate their personal choices?

Why is it that we can tell someone that cannabis is banned because 
there is a slight risk he will develop a mental illness, but we 
cannot tell someone that skydiving is banned because there is a 
slight risk he could end up remodelling someone's back yard? Freedom 
of choice, that's why.

Certainly this information should shape cannabis policy, but the 
outlandish feeling I get from the article is that its findings should 
be used to continue to justify the illegality of cannabis.

Cannabis distribution and production cannot be stopped but it can be 
regulated. Why we continue to deny ourselves this option and continue 
to provide lifeblood to organized criminal enterprise is beyond me.

Ethan Erkiletian

President

Sask. Marijuana Party
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom