BOOZE NO BETTER

Not only should cannabis be legalized, but government should advocate it as
being much less harmful than alcohol. As an emergency medical worker (an
X-ray technician) for 20 years, I have seen many overdose victims,
including those from alcohol. Excessive drinking can lead to coma and
death, but I have never seen anyone overdose on cannabis, nor have I found
any such cases in medical journals. The impact of alcohol in emergency
departments is well known.

We see drunk-driving accidents and fatalities on a regular basis. A lot of
violent behavior such as fights and spousal abuse is triggered by drinking.
Chronic- and legal - alcohol use leads to many horrible diseases. Cannabis
is harmless by comparison. Pot smokers are well known for their peaceful
"mellow" behavior and non-violent nature. Psychological dependence can
occur, but never the type of addiction that results in devastating
withdrawal symptoms.

Shopping is also a potential psychological addiction. Should we have a war
on shopping? The answer is not more prohibition, but to legalize cannabis
and tax it. This would help our overworked RCMP by cutting the cash flow
that the gangs need to survive. The tax revenues from this multi-billion
dollar industry would solve a lot of problems in Canada, including funding
for more and better treatment facilities for hard-drug users. A person who
only wants to buy pot should not have to go to a pusher who will try to
sell them heroin and cocaine as well. Cannabis should be available at the
liquor store and should enjoy the same legal status as booze. Why is it
that one person can legally pickle their brain every night with alcohol
while the occassional cannabis user is labelled a criminal?

Norm Siefken
CHILLIWACK

Checked-by: (Joel W. Johnson)