Pubdate: Tue, 24 Feb 2009
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Bruce Codere
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n128/a03.html

CANNABIS USERS ARE BETTER OFF THAN MOST NON-USERS

Re: 'Medicinal pot laws needed to be changed' (Daily News, Feb. 4)

While I commend your editorial for supporting a rational framework for
cannabis use as medicine, some clarification is called for.

All cannabis use is medicinal. Estimates range as high as half of all
our medicinal needs being met by cannabis.

The gateway theory is a hoax and a fraud. Every culture in history
with drugs available to it has used them to some extent. The Inuit
were the only exception until we introduced our drugs of choice to
them.

The Velvet Monkeys of St. Kitts in the Caribbean abuse, use, or refuse
alcohol in roughly the same ratios as humans. They're but one of a
great many other species that seeks intoxication to some extent.

The average Canadian cannabis user is better educated and remunerated
than non-users. Any cannabis for the medicinal community that
surreptitiously benefits recreational users as well is moot.

They're already better off than the rest. Why punish
success?

Bruce Codere

Fox Creek, Alta.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin