GOVERNMENT SHOULD RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR HALLUCINOGENIC TREAT

I add my voice to the many who are calling for the decriminalization of
marijuana possession in Canada.

I worked for the past decade in Saudi Arabia, where the penalty for drug
use and possession are probably the strictest in the world. But even with
its tough laws, Saudi Arabia is not drug-free. There are still those who
are willing to take the risk.

Now that I am living in Holland, I am experiencing the other extreme. Here
one can walk into a special bar and order a joint to go along with that
glass of beer. The Dutch government has understood the nature of man and
the need for an hallucinogenic experience once in a while. It allows people
here to pretty well do as they please, because it recognizes that people
will do it whether the government agrees or not.

That said, not once have I seen anyone abusing marijuana in a public place.

People in North America are rather hypocritical to be allowing alcohol and
cigarettes -- two "drugs" -- to be consumed legally. Respective governments
tax these two substances to the hilt, as they should, to allow individuals
to consume them as they desire. The same should be done with marijuana.
Take it out of the hands of the drug lords and put it in the hands of the
government.

By the way, I am a 45-year-old who was educated at a Canadian university. I
don't smoke ci-garettes and drink wine only with my meals.

Eva Sanders,

The Hague, The Netherlands