Pubdate: Tue, 02 Jun 1998
Source: Calgary Sun (Canada) 
Contact:  
Website: http://www.canoe.ca/CalgarySun/ 
Note: Referenced letter at http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98.n404.a01.html

POT IS NOT ALMOST DECRIMINALIZED

POT IS not almost decriminalized. (Letters, May 31) That's like almost
pregnant and almost only counts in horseshoes and cannon shots. Statements
like that make people think there is no problem and keep a valuable medicine
out of the hands of the ill. It seems your comments are meant to incite a
response to further demonstrate your lack of compassion and ignorance on
this matter. Do a little research, instead of spouting off your line of
drivel. You betray trust placed in the press to present the facts to the people.

Mark Chenier

(We feel great compassion for sick people; we just don't think pot should be
legalized outright.)

YOUR REMARKS to MS sufferer and medical marijuana activist Lynn Harichy's
May 31 letter was "Pot is already virtually decriminalized for personal
use." I suppose "virtually" is one of those weasel words editors and
politicians like to invoke from time to time to defend the indefensible. The
last time I looked at the criminal code, can-nabis possession was included.
I didn't see any qualifiers, excluding sick people from prosecution. Can you
think of another medicine which must be acquired through a court of law,
rather than a pharmacy? In any event, you've missed the larger point. How
are bedridden or disabled patients supposed to aquire a supply of medicinal
marijuana without risking prosecution for more serious crimes like
cultivation and trafficking?

Kelly T. Conlon

(Marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use.)

As long as some people are still being arrested for it, pot is not
"virtually decriminalized." Why not "literally decriminalize" it?

Kirk Nechamkin

(Too many reasons to list here.)

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Checked-by: Melodi Cornett