Pubdate: Thu, 03 May 2012
Source: Chilliwack Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2012 Chilliwack Times
Contact:  http://www.chilliwacktimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1357
Page: A9
Author: Gary Huntbatch

TIME TO END THE MADNESS ON POT

Editor:

It is good that a Lower Mainland coalition of eight mayors are asking 
for the decriminalization of marijuana.

While there are those who oppose this move on the grounds that pot is 
a gateway drug to more dangerous drugs here is my opinion as to why 
they are both right, and wrong.

If pot were a gateway drug then a large percentage of those over 50 
would be either dead from overdose, criminally supporting a habit or 
just totally wasted each day from their addictions. That is my 
argument against the "gateway" concept.

On the other hand, with pot as an illegal substance the only way to 
obtain it is through the criminal element, the pusher. The pusher, 
like any good salesperson/entrepreneur, will try to up sell you to a 
more addictive and higher profit product because the pushers only 
interest is making money. That then is my view supporting the idea 
that yes, pot is a gateway drug, but only if it is illegal.

I hope the mayor's initiative will spread to other mayors, MLAs, 
premiers and MPs throughout the country bringing an end to the madness.

Gary Huntbatch

Abbotsford
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart