MARIJUANA DEBATE CONTINUES

Regarding cannabis legalization, columnist Scott Mitchell opined that
"there are arguments for both sides," offering as an argument in
defence of prohibition, "marijuana does have confirmed psychological
effects and has been proven to be addictive." ("Should pot be a police
priority?," Sept. 30).

Cannabis is less physically addictive than coffee, however, if
cannabis were as addictive as tobacco, as criminogenic and
disinhibiting as alcohol and as hazardous as hockey, it would make
even less sense to abdicate control of this exceptionally dangerous
herb to criminals who sell drugs of unknown purity, potency and
provenance, on commission, tax free, to anyone of any age, any time,
anywhere, no questions asked.

Given that teenagers consistently report that cannabis is easier to
obtain than beer, and that more teens have tried cannabis than
tobacco, the health risks associated with heavy cannabis use are yet
another argument for legalization, not the status quo.

We have more control over cat food than we do the so-called
"controlled drugs and substances."

Matthew M. Elrod

Victoria, BC