Pubdate: Mon, 04 Jan 2016
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Dan Malleck
Page: A10
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v15/n715/a09.html

IN DEFENCE OF MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

Re Legal weed would lead to more use, Dec. 22

As a historian, I guess I should take some comfort in seeing the Star
stick close to its prohibitionist background when dealing with
cannabis legalization.

First, your histrionic headline distorts the conclusions by the
study's author, who cautions that the increase would be minor.

Second, your sidebar on the history twists my words on cannabis
legalization. You suggest that I see concerns about the effect of
cannabis on youth as a major issue. I have pointed to the slim
evidence that pot could have a negative effect on young brains as the
sort of argument anti-legalization types point to as "proof" that
legalization will be bad.

The weight of evidence suggests legalization would eliminate far more
significant problems than it would cause.

Dan Malleck, associate professor, Brock University
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt