CRIMINAL CODE NOT BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH MARIJUANA USE, SAY SOME HT READERS

Regardless of the opinions of the success or failure of alcohol
prohibition, drug prohibition is clearly and demonstrably a failure.
Whenever any new substance becomes an item of concern, receives media
coverage, and laws criminalizing its use, then and only then does it
start to become a real problem-primarily amongst young people.

It isn't prohibition that keeps kids away from drugs-if anything,
prohibition makes these substances more alluring due to their constant
media awareness.

The real issue at hand is one's individual liberty to do what they
wish with their own body, as long as it isn't hurting anyone else. If
one person enjoys a cigar with a glass of cognac, why shouldn't
someone else with different tastes be able to enjoy a bong of
cannabis? If someone commits a crime, why does it matter that they
were on drugs? They are still guilty of the crime. Do not allow the
drugs to be used as an excuse. There is no good reason to link drugs
and crime.

If someone has an unhealthy relationship with a drug, be it tobacco,
alcohol, caffeine or cocaine, then they should be made to seek
treatment. A criminal record and jail time should only come into play
if they actually commit a real crime.

Derek Snider

Toronto, Ont.