DON'T UNLEASH THE MARIJUANA MONSTER

I have no problem with the medicinal use of marijuana, but to permit its
"recreational" use, as suggested by Dr. John Hoey of the Canadian Medical
Association, is preposterous. ("Yes: recreational use is fairly harmless,
medical journal says," May 16).

Marijuana may be mild compared to other "hard drugs," but it is very much a
mood-altering substance and clearly leads to drug dependency in many
individuals. As Ottawa police Chief Vince Bevan rightly says, it tears at
the fabric of our society ("No: Drug use attacks the fabric of our society,
police chief says," May 16).

I am particularly shocked that a medical doctor would take this stance. He
should know better. Dr. Hoey maintains that decriminalization will not
facilitate the availability to young people. He is living in a fantasyland.

What we would be saying to young people is "Guess what? Marijuana is not as
bad as we led you to believe after all." Where does Dr. Hoey think that
would lead? We may not be terribly effective in preventing young people
from getting marijuana, but we owe it to them to maintain the message that
this stuff is not healthy.

I also take issue with Dr. Hoey's sympathy for individuals getting
criminals records for possession. (The poor darlings then apparently have
problems with job or medical school applications.) If you don't want a
criminal record, then don't break the law.

In response to the age-old argument that the legal use of alcohol justifies
the legal use of marijuana, nonsense. With the existence of such a monster
as alcohol in the world, why would we want to unleash another monster?

Edward Sugden,

Nepean