Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jan 2017
Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)
Copyright: 2017 Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact: http://www.edmontonsun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.edmontonsun.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135
Author: Bruce Symington
Page: 14
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

REEFER MADNESS

I write in response to the column by Senator Betty Unger published in the
Jan. 11 Sun. I write as a citizen with a serious question for one of my
Senators. These are legislators who have the power to make laws which
affect all of us. It is imperative that they have a full understanding of
the subjects on which they rule. So here is my question: Canada claims to
be a free society. In a free society, there are limitations on freedom
where there is a good justification. Traffic laws are examples. For a
limitation to be acceptable, it must be demonstrable that there is a
significant harm to be avoided and that there is no other realistic way to
avoid that harm. If our laws do not adhere to that standard, then we are
not a free society. I want to live as freely as possible, as do most
Canadians. The lies which led to cannabis being made illegal in the first
place have been thoroughly refuted. Prohibition has been a proven failure
at controlling drug use. With that understanding, ! I ask you to justify
the continuation of restrictions on Canadians' use of cannabis
(marijuana). My question is: Why is pot illegal?

Bruce Symington

Medicine Hat

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(We're moving toward legalization.)
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