SMOKING POT IS NOT A VICTIMLESS CRIME

Dear Editor:

I would like to address the two individuals whose letters appeared in
The Pioneer on April 30th. Mr. Givens and Mr. White should really take
a sober look at the world around them.

I am not writing this letter from a Christian point of view, or from
an anti-marijuana standpoint. I just don't feel comfortable that views
were expressed twisting the word of God and lacking in knowledge about
our governing body to even grant an opinion. I am taking a moral
stand, so to fight fire with fire let us begin.

The fact that Mr. Givens uses the Bible to support his opinion -
"punishing victimless crimes violates the standards of justice that
God commands" - is misguided as he neglected to start from the
beginning of that verse. Exodus 21:23 begins with, "If any harm
follows . . ." Harm is not directed to any one person in this verse
but indeed implies a victim.

To declare marijuana as a victimless crime is ignorance at its best.
People that I have loved have fallen victim to this "natural herb" or
"God-given plant" as Mr. White refers to it. I am sure that God's
intent for cannabis was to use it for the hemp fibre and not to
inhale, just as rye was intended for bread and not for excess alcohol
consumption.

Many loved ones have succumbed to an addiction over which they no
longer have control. Families of these individuals are victims crying
over a son or daughter, father or mother who was once so full of
energy, insight and life, and who is now altered, unmotivated and
damaged by its use. This drug is in our schools, involving our youth
and ultimately having an adverse effect on not only their futures but
ours as well. It continues to victimize our schools, towns and
communities.

Okay, so there are no verses that talk directly about marijuana. Is
that surprising? The only smoking that was going on at the time the
Bible was written was caused by burning wood, houses, sacrifices and
ultimately people (at the judgement).

So smoking of cigarettes and marijuana are not
mentioned in the Bible. Although the Bible does not
address marijuana directly, it does discuss other mindaltering
drugs. Specifically, the Bible addresses the use
of drugs in the book of Galatians: "Now the deeds of
the flesh are evident, which are immorality, impurity,
sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy,
outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying,
drunkenness, carousing, and things like these,
of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you,
that those who practise such things will not inherit the
kingdom of God." (Galatians 5:19-21)

To further address Mr. White on his views about the laws and how they
are made, I feel that he is sadly misinformed. Regardless of religion
or who makes the laws, "Let every soul be subject to the governing
authorities . . ." (Romans 13:1).

The legal status of marijuana in Canada is under dispute, but until
that is settled in our Supreme Courts, the law is the law. One can
debate until they are blue in the face that the law is biased or
unjust, but the fact of the matter is the use, abuse and trafficking
of marijuana is illegal and punishable under law. This is not a debate
on the legalization of pot, or to ignore the many individuals who use
marijuana for medicinal purposes. I could no longer stand by and
ignore my own morals and values with regards to how these two
individuals justified their beliefs on this issue. Laws and religion
aside, we have a moral obligation to ourselves, our families and our
communities.

Maegan Stanbury