Pubdate: Fri, 20 Jul 2007
Source: Interlake Spectator, The (CN MB)
Copyright: 2007 The Interlake Spectator
Contact: http://cgi.bowesonline.com/pedro.php?id8&x=contact
Website: http://www.interlakespectator.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2164
Author: Kirk Muse
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

MARIJUANA 'LESS HARMFUL'

I'm writing about Marc Zienkiewicz's thoughtful column "War on drugs 
going to pot" (July 13).

Most drug war cheerleaders proclaim that if marijuana were 
re-legalized, pot use would skyrocket. I believe that the Netherlands 
example shows that this probably would not happen.

But suppose that pot use did increase. Suppose pot use by adults 
doubled. Would this necessarily be bad? I submit that it would not.

As pot use increases, alcohol use decreases. Most marijuana users 
don't drink alcohol, but those who do drink alcohol, drink 
substantially less than non-marijuana users.

I believe that most doctors would agree that heavy marijuana use is a 
lot less harmful than heavy alcohol use. Heavy alcohol use can and 
does kill. No amount of marijuana use has ever killed anyone.

Kirk Muse

Mesa, AZ
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman