LEGALIZING DOPE IS DOPEY, COSTLY

The Issue

There is, as periodically happens, a push on to decriminalize marijuana,
something that appeals to some of those who idealize the 60s. Now, an
Alliance MP has introduced a private members bill removing criminal
penalties for possession of pot and replacing them with fines of up to $1,000.

What you should know:

Marijuana, also called Cannabis sativa or pot, is more carcinogenic than
tobacco. No only does it injure smokers more seriously than tobacco does,
it also injures those who are exposed to it as second-hand smoke. The
Canadian Police Association which represents 30,000 officers across
Canada, says decriminalizing marijuana would increase drug usage and
consequently increase crime.

We live in a world which is becoming more and more concerned for safety and
good health.

It's a constant theme everywhere as we learn more about hazards and develop
the technology to evade them.

Standards for safety of firefighters, police, forestry workers, laboratory
technologists and other employees are continually upgraded

And many people take an active role, trying to ensure the safety of their
community and world. Some protest the use of herbicides because they are
concerned the chemicals might harm the environment.

Some fight against the exploitation of the awesome and useful, but
dangerous, power released by fracturing atoms nuclear power.

But, in the midst of all this effort to create a safe world, Alliance MP
Keith Martin, a medical doctor, has introduced a private members bill
proposing the decriminalization of marijuana.

His encouraging use of this drug seems totally irrational. Physicians
uniformly oppose the use of tobacco.

Why? The smoke produced by burning tobacco contains thousands of
cancer-causing agents.

Intensive education has curtailed tobacco use. Now restaurants and public
buildings in many cities no longer permit smoking.

It's well-known that burning marijuana produces even more cancer-causing
agents in addition to the chemical which causes the mellowing (and
unmotivating) dopiness dope smokers seek.

Dope smokers argue they smoke much less marijuana. To those exposed to
second-hand smoke, that's irrelevant.

The increase in crime which the Canadian Police Association anticipates is
another major concern about the legalization of marijuana. Not only does
crime cause human suffering, it also costs money for the medical and
justice systems,

In the Netherlands, the legalization of marijuana resulted in skyrocketing
crime statistics, press reports indicate.

And lets face it, the decriminalization of marijuana is bound to eventually
lead to the legalization of the drug.

What society would deliberately strive to become more hazardous?

What society would deliberately risk increased social service costs? It's
irrational. Let's get real folks.