Pubdate: Wed, 24 Jun 2015
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network Inc.
Contact: http://www2.canada.com/theprovince/letters.html
Website: http://www.theprovince.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Pamela McColl
Page: 15

VANCOUVER FAILING TO CONSIDER HARMS OF USING MARIJUANA

There was such a public outcry over yoga on a bridge that the premier
was "compelled" to cancel it and yet Vancouver city manager Penny
Ballem's plan to license illegal pot shops goes unchallenged by our
provincial leaders.

The travesty taking place at Vancouver city hall should have every
parent, educator, business owner, non-pot user, physician, law
enforcement officer and addictions councillor up in arms, as well as
the premier and the education minister.

Why the lack of response? There has been a consorted effort to lull
the public with rhetoric of "regulate" and "patients' interests" and a
sorry lack of discussion over the impact of commercialization of a
substance that has been proven not safe for human consumption. What is
missing is the evidence of science.

The gross omission of the risks of harms associated with the use of
marijuana for anyone at any age is the offence that should cost Ballem
her job, along with her admission, including that proximity guidelines
for daycares were not included in her licensing plan to ease the
burden on the marijuana sector in adhering to the rules. The facts:

In September 2009, marijuana smoke was added to the list of compounds
known to cause cancer or reproductive toxicity by the California
Environmental Protection Agency and Environmental Health Hazard Office.

There are over 300 studies about the cell damage done by marijuana.
Second-hand marijuana smoke contains many of the same toxins and
carcinogens found in tobacco smoke. Second-hand smoke kills 600,000
worldwide annually. Enough said. Write Pamela McColl, Smart Approaches to Marijuana Canada, Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Matt