Pubdate: Wed, 01 Jan 2014
Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014 Anne Rostvig
Contact:  http://www.mapleridgenews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328
Author: Anne Rostvig
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v13/n609/a03.html?1189
Cited: Sensible BC: http://www.sensiblebc.ca

LET'S BRING BALANCE TO MARIJUANA DEBATE

Editor, The News:

Re: 'Because it would be legal (Letters, Dec. 18).

The aim of SensibleBC was to decriminalize the possession of small
amounts of marijuana for personal use, not to legalize it.

In other words, the police would not lay charges against individuals
having the drug for their own use, leaving them more time to pursue
serious crimes.

Frantic rhetoric on both sides muddied the waters so that this simple
aim was lost and that's likely why SensibleBC failed to reach its target.

So, let's have a few facts.

Until 1930, every pharmacy in the U.S. supplied cannabis tinctures as
remedies for all manner of ailments.

In more enlightened countries, marijuana is used by mainstream
religious groups.

In Canada, tens of thousands of people have Health Canada approved
licenses to use medical marijuana and its use has not only had a major
effect on the health and comfort of these people, but has also saved
millions of health care dollars.

Add to this the number of people who use the drug recreationally and
it is likely that everyone knows someone who has tried it.

These people are all around you. They are neighbours, friends and
family members. They are professionals and business people, government
workers and first responders.

They keep their usage private, even among their closest friends and
family, because of the unreasoning prejudice.

SensibleBC volunteers were ridiculed and called druggies and potheads.
Would these name-callers label everyone who enjoys an occasional drink
as a 'drunk'?

I am sorry for Ken Ogden's family as dealing with addiction is a
tragedy.

However, the reality is that people who enjoy a few puffs in the
comfort of their own homes are about as likely to graduate to crack or
heroin as someone who enjoys a glass of wine with dinner will end up
on the street drinking mouthwash.

SensibleBC needs to get its point across more clearly.

Craig Speirs needs to tone down the quasi-religious rhetoric and
Cherryl Katnich and others like her need to educate themselves without
recourse to hysteria and misinformation.

Maybe then we can bring some balance to the debate and make informed
decisions.

Anne Rostvig

Maple Ridge 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D