Pubdate: Wed, 23 Jan 2013
Source: National Post (Canada)
Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: http://drugsense.org/url/wEtbT4yU
Website: http://www.nationalpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286
Author: C. Gwendolyn Landolt
Page: A9
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n039/a06.html

THREE VOTES AGAINST LEGAL POT

Re: Follow In America's Footsteps, Evan Wood & Werner Antweiler, Jan. 21.

The article fails to disclose the truth about the dangers of 
marijuana and the consequences of legalizing it. To merely "tax and 
regulate cannabis" does not stop the violence associated with the 
drug trade, but opens the door to even higher levels of crime and 
violence as it does not stop the profit motivation of drug traffickers.

In 2010, the U.S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported 
that 51.8% of Americans used alcohol, 27.4% used tobacco and 8.9% 
used illicit drugs. The same high figures for alcohol and tobacco use 
will also apply to marijuana, if legalized.

There is a wide disparity between tax revenue received from alcohol 
and tobacco sales and the health costs caused by their use. It 
results in greater economic and social costs to society because of 
the increased health care and enforcement, as well as loss of 
productivity in the workplace. The article also overlooks the dark 
side of marijuana use. It is a mood-altering drug capable of 
producing dependency. Adverse effects have been documented in terms 
of memory, learning, behaviour and functioning.

C. Gwendolyn Landolt,

national vice-president, REAL Women of Canada, Ottawa.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom