MAYBE WE SHOULD RETHINK OUR LAWS ON MARIJUANA USE

There have been a couple of articles published in the past couple of
months about the negative effects of marijuana use and how it should
be banned completely.

While I agree that the harder drugs - cocaine, crack, ecstasy and the
like - do not have a place in our society, marijuana may be the
exception to the rule (and there are always exceptions to the rule).

The effects of marijuana use are quite parallel to those of alcohol.
They are both addictive, result in similar physical impairments, and
can cause health risks if ingested in large amounts.

Driving under the influence of either is all too dangerous. There are
just as many groups for alcohol abuse as there are for drug abuse.

Yet, why is it that individuals over the age of 19 can enjoy one but
not the other?

I am not suggesting that alcoholic beverages be prohibited, by any means.

I am merely suggesting that we consider making marijuana use legal,
as long as there is a set of rules for its usage and consequences for
its misuse, like those set for alcohol consumption.

Terry Collins

Whitehorse