GONE TO POT

Dear Editor:

Re: Keep Lid on Pot, Mar. 5-6 edition

Imagine yourself walking down a street, when you notice a small group of
teenagers, no older than your son/daughter, using marijuana and getting high.

Not experienced it yet? Well, it is only a matter of time before this may
become a common sight.

As a grade 10 student and a concerned citizen, I strongly believe marijuana
should not be decriminalized and should remain illegal.

While supporters believe that current penalties are too severe and
marijuana criminal records cause employment problems, are they aware
addictions to marijuana have actually increased over the last four years?

Replacing criminal records and prison sentences with fines will not help
Canada overcome this problem. Rather, it would further aggravate the
situation, encouraging young people to consume the drug because the
consequences would not be nearly as severe.

I fail to understand why the government would consider marijuana
decriminalization, while they simultaneously discourage citizens from
consuming the drug.

I, for one, believe they should put this issue to rest and leave the
marijuana laws as they were.

Lubaina Hakimjee

Mississauga