NOTHING WRONG WITH TEENS SMOKING POT

Editor: Re: the letter from Dave Page (The Times, March 14).

I grew up in Langley, and have since moved to the Island. I think that
was a good decision, to get away from the extreme ignorance of people
like Mr. Page. I don't know where to start in showing with what is
wrong with his letter.

First off, I'd like to state that "marijuana" is an outdated term that
was brought in by the prohibitionists in the 1930s, to make cannabis
(the actual term) sound foreign and more "Mexican," to try to
discourage Americans from using the herb.

Secondly, cannabis is a herb - a plant that grows in nature. To ban
something that grows in the wild and has so much medical potential is
absurd.

For thousands of years, it was used as a healing and therapeutic
medicine. Why stick all of the chemicals the pharmaceutical companies
make into our bodies, when we can use a simple plant?

Try it for migraines. It works better that T3s, without the addictive
properties.

Finally, I would not be worried about kids smoking pot, it generally
instills a peaceful and passive attitude. If you are offended by the
smoke, why not nicely explain to the teens that the smoke bothers you,
and you will be surprised that they may just move along.

I would also be glad to see them smoking pot rather than drinking
alcohol, as alcohol often is a catalyst to destructive and violent
behaviour.

All this said, I think that the real problem in this case is lack of
education.

Andrew Brown,

Nanaimo