Pubdate: Wed, 03 Feb 2016 Source: Guardian, The (CN PI) Copyright: 2016 The Guardian, Charlottetown Guardian Group Incorporated Contact: http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/174 Author: Debbie Stultz-Giffin Page: A6 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v16/n061/a01.html CANNABIS EFFECTIVE AGAINST HARD DRUGS Mitch Reid is neither a scientist nor a bona fide researcher. Reid's claims of research actually fly in the face of science and could have grave ramifications for our youth. (Charlottetown man leads petition against legalization of cannabis; January 31, 2016) The 2002 Canadian Senate Committee Report on Cannabis concluded that pharmacological studies of the active ingredients in cannabis have not found any element that predisposes cannabis consumers to seek more potent drugs. In fact, this report points to studies that show cannabis as an effective substitute to treat dependency to hard drugs; a 'gateway back drug' if you will with the capability to treat the plethora of side effects associated with hard drug withdrawal. Youth indoctrinated in this gateway mythology who try cannabis and do not experience what the Reid's of the world claim they will, ultimately question everything they have been taught about all substances. The lies they have been taught about cannabis have the potential to lead them to experiment with hard, toxic drugs that could produce fatal outcomes. Well intended, but ill-informed citizens like Reid have no place in the dialogue about cannabis legalization efforts. Debbie Stultz-Giffin, Chair, Maritimers Unite For Medical Marijuana Society, Bridgetown, N.S. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom