CANNABIS HAS CLAIMED NO LIVES

Noting that "164 out of 1000 deaths in BC are related to tobacco and
alcohol," ("Doubts about doobies"), letter write Gerry Harris asked, "Do we
really need to legalize another bad habit like marijuana when we have not
grasped control of the smoking and drinking habits." We have far more
"control" over alcohol and tobacco than we do the so-called controlled
drugs and substances.

No deaths have ever been attributed to cannabis use. Further, cannabis is
more often than not a substitute for more dangerous substances, especially
alcohol and tobacco. In the U.S. states and Australian territories where
cannabis has been decriminalized, alcohol and drug-related overdoses,
accidents and emergency room visits have gone down as a consequence.

Matthew M. Elrod,

Saanich