FORGET COMPASSION, USE COMMON SENSE

Editor:

I am responding to Dale Bass' Aug. 5 story, headlined "Wait to die."

This is exactly what proponents of medical marijuana have been saying about
the new regulations. It's simply more red tape between the sick and their
medicine. In this particular case, a most cruel execution of regulations
over common sense should result in a lawsuit against the government for
denying treatment to a dying person.

The government has no business using the word "compassion." Their business
is creating rules to govern millions of people in varied situations and
those rules are heavily weighted toward avoiding substance abuse.

Caregivers, nurses and other close-contact practitioners are the only ones
in a position to exercise compassion in such cases. Yet, we don't permit
these people to "prescribe" medications.

I have voiced my opinion to government, as a middle-aged taxpayer who has
lived my entire life in this country. The government should get tough on
crime and legalize cannabis.

Remove the profits from the criminal domain and eliminate all legal
opposition to the use of pot for adults. Reap the tax and employment
rewards of a newly legitimized industry.

Allow the sick to take their doctors' advice or choose for themselves as we
are taught we have the right to do in a free society. Forget compassion;
try a little common sense in the application of the principles of
fundamental justice in a free society.

The government has no right to make someone criminal for a behaviour as
benign as using cannabis.

Mack McLeod
Kamloops