Copyright: 2005 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: letters@thejournal.canwest.com
Website: http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: George Kosinski
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

HYPOCRISY REIGNS

Re: " 'Bud lit' article is a bust with readers," Letters, Nov. 23.

Why the shock over printing a marijuana brownie recipe when the media
routinely reveal the details surrounding the commission of violent
crimes and when popular crime novels are rife with details related to
not only the preparation and commission of violent crimes, but also
how to avoid arrest?

One letter-writer claims to be well-educated, yet is unaware that the
marijuana gateway theory has been discredited. The only people who
still claim that marijuana is "a gateway drug to other substances,
such as cocaine and methamphetamine," are those who either benefit
from marijuana's current legal status and/or are desperate to
continue justifying the criminalization of marijuana, a plant that is
not addictive.

Another writer asks, "What's next? Crystal meth recipes?" In fact,
the police have been quoted by the media more than once listing the
ingredients that are required to manufacture crystal meth --
information that has also been provided in TV documentaries.

Another writer refers to the "lack of respect" supposedly exhibited
by marijuana cookbooks. What about the lack of respect for human
rights exhibited by politicians and police? Criminalizing victimless
behaviour in an allegedly democratic society is not only outrageous,
but also it sows the seeds for the gradual encroachment of a police
state society. Many of the current social problems related to the use
of drugs such as heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines are side
effects of their prohibition.

As for the real physical or mental health issues that may be attended
by use of these drugs, they will remain with us until we can swallow
our pride and accept that it's more productive to teach our children
to distinguish between relatively harmless drugs and dangerous drugs,
rather than teaching them to distinguish between legal and illegal drugs.

George Kosinski

Gibsons, B.C.