It's Time For a Proper Debate on Marijuana

TO THE EDITOR

"It's Time For a Proper Debate on Marijuana" is one of the more responsible
pieces of journalism I have seen in awhile, despite obvious inaccuracies
such as the notion that marijuana is legal in Holland - more marijuana has
been seized in Holland than almost any other European country, but it is
also the most relaxed towards personal use.

I do question why the author states, "We can expect some ripple effects in
North America.." Doesn't she know that the effects have been rippling in
(and out) for quite some time now.

In 1993 Chris Clay became the catalyst when he opened Canada's first hemp
store in London, Ontario. In October 1994 NORML Canada director Umberto
Iofrida challenged a law that declared the reading, writing or
distribution of illegal drug literature was punishable by $1000,000 fine
and/or six months imprisonment. The matter sits in Supreme Court . In the
Winter of 94/95 the first issue of what was to become Cannabis Canada
went into publication and since then people have had relative freedom to
exercise their right to fair and balanced information on drugs and not
government propaganda. Momentum has been growing and the laws are being
challenged again and again. I am well aware of why the Internet must
terrify governments.

You think in a civilized society the sick would be cared for in the most
humane way, but thanks to the Drug War compassionate citizens must rush in
where the government fears to tread And the government is beginning to
look more ridiculous everyday when medical patients such as Lynn Harichy,
Grant Kreiger and Terry Parker have to fight for their right to medicine in
court.

The numbers are small at the moment but the "War on Drugs" is being labeled
the "Vietnam war" of the nineties . Everyday the causality list grows, and
the truth that this war is about prejudice, not drugs lights up another
mind. Public sentiment will become louder and stronger and the government
will have to make a choice - to follow the Dutch or the Americans.

The will of the majority is to follow the Dutch and reject US influence on
this matter. If they want to be immoral let them do it alone. They could go
back and read their Declaration Of Independence, or else declare war on
decriminalizing countries. If they choose the latter, will they see the
irony when Saddem and his buddies are the only allies with them on this
issue!

Debbie Harper