FEW GOOD REASONS FOR LEGALIZATION

Editor, The News:

Here We go again!

In Chris Foulds' Guest Column "Waging war on a benign plant," of Nov.
18, there were many statements which must be considered cause for
concern by the thinking public.

Foulds in part asks "Should we legalize marijuana?" His own answer to
his question was, "Absolutely."

In her article, "Whacky tobbacky issue a no brainer," on Mar. 14,
Trudy Beyak states in part; "mind-altering drugs including THC the
active ingredient in marijuana, are chemicals that pollute the human brain."

She is of the opinion that "Taking mind-altering drugs is like
unleashing chemical warfare on your own brain."

Beyak also brings to our attention that marijuana is often a gateway
drug for vulnerable teenagers and young adults."

In the Nov. 7 edition of your paper; a story headlined "Pot use
linked to psychosis," written by Jeff Nagel, quoting in part South
Surrey psychiatrist, Dr.Bill MacEwan, said that "clinical evidence
from here and around the world increasingly links pot
smoking-especially heavy use at an early age - with psychosis."

He estimates the rate of psychosis among those regular pot users is
six to seven times the rate of non-users who have a roughly one in
100 chance of suffering from psychosis."

A statement often made by apologist's for the marijuana lobby is that
the abuse of alcohol and the use of tobacco is far more serious than
smoking marijuana. The danger of tobacco and abuse of alcohol has
become more apparent over the years.

What new hazards will result by extended use of marijuana, especially
by our youth?

Are we willing to put our youth at risk?

If we legalize marijuana what are we saying to our youth? Are we
saying smoking marijuana is no big deal? In some cases marijuana is
being promoted as a health enhancer. It may mask symptoms but it is no cure.

Should we look to our pot smoking friends as billboards for more
liberal drug laws? Or should we listen to serious researchers? Let's
think Again.

Eric Myrholm

Abbotsford