Pubdate: Sun, 22 Aug 2010
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Jacob Hunter
Contact: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.canada.com/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Jacob Hunter

PUBLIC POT NO PROBLEM

If we want to regulate where, when and how adults can consume
marijuana, the answer is as simple as legalizing the substance and
regulating it. But, let's consider some things before we get ourselves
all worked up about a little public marijuana use.

Walk down Robson Street and be overpowered by the smell of "Lush" a
cosmetics store, for half a block in either direction. I get a
headache every time I pass it.

When I walk or bike down the street, I'm forced to inhale noxious
smoke from cars and trucks. Pollution from burning gas causes cancer,
birth defects, and global warming, yet cars travel our streets in
higher numbers every year.

As for witnessing or smelling public "drug" use, take a look at all
the coffee shops, bars, pubs and restaurants which serve alcohol. All
involve "drugs" used in public around Vancouver every day.

Nobody is getting high from smelling marijuana on the wind. It's a
smell. Marijuana users aren't threatening public safety when they
over-consume.

Obviously pot users shouldn't light up near children. Beyond that,
there are much bigger problems than a little public pot use.

Jacob Hunter, Vancouver 
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D