UP IN CLOUD OF SMOKE OVER MARIJUANA DEBATE

Editor:

Re: Let's face it, marijuana is harmful, Feedback, the Observer, Nov. 5.

Writer Todd seeks to apply a bottom line to the use of marijuana
saying "marijuana is a mind and mood altering substance, period."

The nature of a bottom line is to siphon info about several items in
a category - in this case mood altering substances - and find a
common denominator that seeks to impart additional information about
each and all items.

His bottom line is not a bottom line at all. It offers no additional
information about all or any item within this category.

He is at best arguing post ergo propter hoc or "arguing before the
fact" as this fact is self evident before needing to draw a bottom
line for any and all items in this category or in fact marijuana in itself.

A true bottom line would apply a yardstick - such as "which mood
altering substances are known to be toxic and can cause death by use."

In this case, the bottom line would be that all mood altering
substances including alcohol are known to be toxic and can kill -
with the exception of marijuana - which is one of the least toxic
mood altering substances and has never killed.

This is a true bottom line.

Chuck Beyer

Port Alberni, B.C.