MEDICAL HYPOCRISY ON POT SMOKING

Re Doctors raise marijuana alarm, Aug 14.

How soon we forget. Four months ago, the Canadian Medical Association
Journal (CMAJ) strongly endorsed decriminalization of marijuana for
adults.

It said marijuana has "minimal negative" health effects when used in
moderation.

Its message was clear: Let adults decide for themselves if they want
to use pot for medical or recreational purposes.

Doctors know that marijuana is essentially harmless when compared to alcohol.

Alcohol keeps the emergency rooms busy, especially on weekends.
Accidents, fights and spousal abuse are the most common
alcohol-related cases, and this is seldom seen with marijuana users.
The pot smoker is more likely to do some damage to a bag of potato
chips.

Doctors find it really strange that marijuana requires a permit from
Ottawa, yet they can prescribe morphine and narcotics without any
hassles.

The CMAJ also pointed out that at least 1.5 million Canadians prefer
marijuana to booze and these Canadians are unjustly persecuted.

When will the booze-drinking hypocrites in Ottawa start respecting
these 1.5 million of us who make the healthier choice?

Ottawa should be held accountable for the billions being wasted in
this dopey war on Canadian pot smokers.

Norm Siefken

Chilliwack, B.C.