CANNABIS DOES NOT IMPAIR LEARNING

IN REPLY to New Zealand Catholic Education Office executive director
Patrick Lynch's comments on cannabis (24.5.00), I am a regular user and
recently gained 89% in an exam, which is my best ever result. I don't agree
that cannabis debilitates learning, nor do I struggle to make sense of life
and I certainly wouldn't be studying if my ambition was robbed from me like
Mr Lynch suggests happens.

Instead of worrying about cannabis, people should turn their attention to
real dangers, like alcohol. Most people act like complete idiots when
drinking, often causing trouble for others, whereas I have found cannabis
users to be quite the opposite. If it is okay to breed even more trouble by
lowering the drinking age to 18, then I believe anyone 18 and over should
legally be allowed to use cannabis. It could lead to fewer alcohol-related
problems as most people I know drink far less after doing so.

Unfortunately, cannabis will always be seen in a negative way unless people
like Mr Lynch come to their senses. Before they knock it they should try it
first, and maybe they'll see it is a blessing and not a curse.

Student User

Dunedin

[Name withheld by request. - Ed.]