SENATE COMMITTEE'S REPORT ON LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

It's foolish to legalize it for people who are 16. They can't drink until
they are 19. They can't vote and they can't even drive. Why would they be
allowed to use a mildly mind-altering drug? Also, there are some people
like myself who are allergic to marijuana. If people are on the street
smoking it, I'll spend most of my life in the hospital. I just wondered if
the health of people is a consideration as much as it is when it comes to
smoking cigarettes.

Katherine Happell, Port Coquitlam

Gateway drug? If so, it's not the first gate.

When I was a teenager (10 years ago), the kids who smoked pot were
generally kids who smoked tobacco and drank already.

That isn't to say that anyone who has a cigarette will eventually move on
to a joint.

However, decriminalizing pot will take away the stigma of committing a
criminal offence.

Although I don't believe any drug "use" should be deemed a criminal
activity, I do believe decriminalizing marijuana will lessen the
association others may find between it and harder, dangerous drugs such as
cocaine and heroine.

This last point is especially true for future generations who will only
have heard about the prohibition of marijuana.

Ryan Harmer, Langley

Are you jokers reporting public opinion or trying to form it? You claim,
"While tokers may be rejoicing, readers feel Senate went too far with pot
report." Yet, your own online readers' poll shows that readers who support
the Senate report out-number those who don't by roughly 25 per cent. What's
with that?

Brad Dietrich, Port Alberni

I am pleased the Senate has done such a good job.

Too bad that the self-serving rhetoric of the police association is
included in the news-media coverage. Ever wonder why no references in
support are ever included?

It's no coincidence the resulting, continued funding goes straight into
police pockets. Talk about the tail wagging the dog.

I resent that the jobs of a few police ride on the backs of thousands of
Canadian citizens branded as criminals. That ought to be a crime.

Larry Klenman, Coquitlam