ANTI-MARIJUANA 'PROPAGANDA' LACKS CREDIBILITY

Re: "Marijuana messes up kids' minds" and "Growers booby trap fields
to keep out 'pot pirates'," The Journal, Nov. 24.

Neither of these articles on marijuana should have made it to print.
They are both a product, it seems, of drug-war propagandists taking
advantage of reporters and editors wanting a skeptical and critical
disposition.

In the first story, Kathy Szirtes, a specialist in youth addiction
claims that marijuana is physiologically and psychologically
addictive for teens.

Before we consider her claims, let us consider her class interest.
Her job depends on government funding that would dry up if drug
prohibition ended. It is therefore in her interest to scare the
public about the harm -- real or not -- of drugs. Drug prohibition is
underwritten by public fear.

Further, her claims are absurd.

Physiological addiction means that the drug in question can causes
serious physical withdrawal symptoms for users, similar to heroin or
tobacco. There have been no peer reviewed studies that I know of
cataloguing "marijuana withdrawal."

Marijuana is thought to be as addictive as caffeine, even for teens.

Psychological addiction means that users have an overpowering mental
desire to use the drug in question, a desire that overtakes thoughts
that reflect better sense. In short, marijuana turns teens into
zombies. Her claim, then, is a dressed down version of the Reefer
Madness of the 1930s.

Remember, it is easier to think that drugs and dealers are
responsible for our teens bad choices.

But the fact remains that addiction is a choice and our youths are
responsible for their actions.

The second story centres around the claim of Det. Supt. Frank Elbers
of the Ontario Provincial Police drug enforcement section that
marijuana gardens are increasingly being found to be booby-trapped.

His class interest is identical to that of Szirtes. Further, criminal
statistics show that fewer than one per cent of marijuana gardens are
booby-trapped.

That any marijuana gardens are booby-trapped at all is explained by
drug prohibition. Because police don't protect marijuana as property,
drug dealers form gangs and set booby traps in order to protect their
holdings. This the same reason why alcohol prohibition led to the mob.

Would The Journal print stories about miracles, psychics, and the paranormal?

Drug-war propaganda isn't that much more scientifically credible.

Michael Cust

Morinville