BOOS, AGAIN ADVOCATES CAGING HUMANS FOR USING CANNABIS

Dear Editor:

Re: Russell Barth's letter 5 Apr 05

Mr. Barth needs to read my letter a few more times before criticizing it.
In my original letter printed 29 March, I did not once advocate or "root"
for prohibition. I did however on several occasions, advocate for
education, guidance, and stiffer penalties for lawbreakers! Perhaps Mr.
Barth you should stop smoking and start reading! An example of shortsighted
thinking is right in front of Mr. Barth. A study that determines that THC
shrinks the tumors in rats, without noting other possible side effects, is
not a full and complete study. We have seen this in numerous drug studies
in Canada and the US that have resulted in mass recalls of drugs such as
thalidomide, vioxx, and more recently the drug phenylpropanolamine. These
drugs were all approved for use without the long-term effects being known.
The same can be said for marijuana.

I have done my research, Mr. Barth and, at your suggestion, I reviewed the
1970 and 1972 LeDain reports. The result of all of this is inconclusive.
For every study exalting the medicinal value of marijuana, there is another
warning us of the dangers. There is still insufficient data to suggest that
marijuana will have no long-term effects, and that its medicinal value is
far greater than its recreational value. The LeDain report called for the
decriminalization of marijuana, equating its use to that of alcohol. The
problem here is that police have proven scientific methods for detection of
alcohol impairment (breathalyzers). Currently we do not have anything
scientific that accurately detects marijuana impairment at the roadside. Do
we want to encourage people to toke up and drive? After all, marijuana is a
'safe' drug.

You, as well as lobby groups and the Marijuana Party are trying to distort
the facts in your favour. The number one use of marijuana is recreational,
not medicinal. It is for this reason that marijuana advocates such as
yourself, and the marijuana party in general are not taken seriously. Any
health advantages that marijuana has is far outweighed by those who use it
for other means. You note in your letter that marijuana is an effective
medicine for epilepsy, MS, HIV/AIDS, asthma, arthritis and dozens of other
ailments. But then note that it is used as a "last resort" after "the so
called 'safer' pharmaceuticals fail to work or make them sicker." So which
is it Mr Barth? If marijuana is really helpful, why are we not using it in
place of "so-called 'safer' drugs?" Is it that it is merely a benefit to
those few for whom conventional medications do not work, or those who have
nothing to lose by trying it? Do the same people who help fund the
marijuana party provide the research supporting the medicinal value? Or
perhaps the same lobbyists who told us for years that tobacco was harmless?

The culture and lifestyles of European countries such as the Netherlands
are far different from that of Canada and the United States. European
countries have a developed respect for alcohol, tobacco and marijuana. Over
here it is respected only by a few. There are many responsible cannabis
users, just like there are responsible gamblers and alcohol users;
unfortunately irresponsible users plague us, and their suppliers pose
threats to the general public via marijuana grow operations. Again Mr.
Barth, I did not, nor do not endorse prohibition. I endorse educators who
encourage youth to obey the laws of our society, whether they believe those
laws to be just or not. We cannot pick and choose which laws to obey. I
'root' for educators who encourage young adults to change the laws from
within the system, using real facts, real studies, real information and
real education. Not by misrepresenting facts in the favour of one or the
other. I 'root' for educators who encourage youth and young adults to get
involved in improving their own quality of life and that of their community
by getting involved in community groups, projects and causes. Not ones that
encourage youth to turn themselves on to drugs, and turn themselves off of
society. Educators are highly regarded in our society, especially
university professors. We should expect more out of them, and the education
they deliver to our young adults.

I know what side of the law I am on Mr. Barth. Marijuana may have its use
medically, but for as long as people such as yourself, members of the
marijuana party, and the advocates for its full decriminalization are using
it for recreational means, it will never be taken seriously as a medical
aid. As for the law and marijuana, do you know where your marijuana is
grown? For as long as people continue to use unregulated marijuana
suppliers, they are breaking the law!

Sadly Mr. Barth, it is the continued advocacy for use of marijuana for
recreational effects not its medicinal ones, that will continue to
subsidize organized crime, endanger Canadians, give kids more access to
drugs and cost taxpayers a fortune. I say again, sir: If no one is using,
then no one is buying. Now my questions to you are these. If you are an
"educator," how will you educate youth on utilizing marijuana for medicinal
reasons rather than for recreational ones? How will you educate youth on
why it is ok to use marijuana, but wrong for them to use ecstasy, crystal
meth, speed, or cocaine? Or why it is wrong to steal to support a drug
habit? How will you educate youth on why it is currently wrong for them to
have a marijuana grow operation? These are the questions Mr. Barth. Do you,
the Marijuana Party, or the Educators for Sensible Drug Policy have the
answers?

Alex Boos, Camrose