Pubdate: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 Source: Martlet (CN BC Edu) Copyright: 2008 Martlet Publishing Society Contact: http://www.martlet.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3140 Author: Chris Wells Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v08.n036.a01.html POT AND POT-HOLES Your recent article on marijuana use amongst drivers in the region was an interesting one (Driving High, Jan. 10). I was particularly drawn to the statement referring to Cannabis Buyers' Club of Canada vice-president Gayle Quin saying she finds that "smoking marijuana makes her a more careful driver." Yikes! Such statements adversely affect the marijuana advocacy movement. Just because Quin has not suffered an accident (I assume) while driving high does not mean that she was actually being a more careful driver - even if she thought she was. Her statement completely undermines the movement's cause for marijuana decriminalization. What government or authority would take seriously a group who can admit only the pros of their cause and completely ignore the cons? In order for the pro-marijuana movement to be successful, we need to approach the issue with truth. While marijuana may be a powerful therapeutic tool, it does not mean that it is without consequences. These consequences are known as side effects, and when pharmaceutical companies ignore the negative side effects of their products and people are adversely affected, we get up in arms. So what makes the marijuana movement so different? Chris Wells Camosun student - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin