Pubdate: Sun, 12 Aug 2007
Source: Daily News, The (CN NS)
Copyright: 2007 The Daily News
Contact:  http://www.hfxnews.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179
Author: Jane MacDonald

MARIJUANA MADNESS

To the editor:

It is with great concern that I read the police will treat marijuana 
the same as they treat crack cocaine and other harmful drugs.

Most people knew the federal Regressive Conservatives would start the 
crackdown soon enough. The first thing they did was cancel medical 
research into marijuana, then tell doctors to reduce its potency. 
Now, they're going to start putting pot users in jail again, whether 
it's for medical or recreational use.

Multiple sclerosis sufferers stop shaking after one toke. The drugs 
prescribed by doctors destroy the liver, kidneys and lungs.

Has anyone besides me seen David Suzuki's Reefer Madness? Pot is not 
a harmful drug. There are no side-or long-term effects. According to 
research it has the same addictive properties as coffee.

Of course, people shouldn't operate machinery or drive under the 
influence of marijuana. But they shouldn't do those things while 
drinking, either - yet liquor is legal.

I know baby boomers who have been smoking pot daily for 30 years or 
more. Guess what: they still have their jobs, raised their kids, put 
them through university, own their own home sand are healthy, happy, 
productive citizens.

With almost 20 per cent of the population smoking pot, that's a lot 
of votes the Regressive Conservatives won't be getting in the next 
election. Keeping it illegal just makes organized crime richer and 
more powerful.

Jane MacDonald

West Chezzetcook
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