'MEDICAL MARIJUANA' IS A COP-OUT - JUST LEGALIZE IT

Re: Medical marijuana: Why -- and how -- Ottawa must make it easier to
acquire and distribute, The Commentary Page, March 30

Writer Philippe Lucas is all wet. Cannabis is a euphoric and there ends its
medicinal properties. 'Medical marijuana' is a bad compromise because it
enfeebles the individual. After all, we are dealing with a substance that
is, medically speaking, less harmful than table salt.

So-called medical marijuana activists appeal to our compassion to remove
marijuana from the drug-war battlefield. However, it is my opinion that they
are fighting a bad cause in bad faith. Compromise will simply prolong the
marijuana drug war, resulting in many more casualties.

Alcohol prohibition was repealed because citizens were ready to reclaim
their fundamental right to drink, a right that, in principle, does not
differ from the right to use any substance. Either we have the right to
poison and kill ourselves with food, alcohol, and drugs or we don't. I argue
for individual liberty, personal responsibility, the free market and rule of
law. The way to deal with bad laws is by repealing them, not making 'medical
excuses' as exceptions to them.

Chris Buors

Marijuana Party of Canada

Prairie Region Coordinator

Winnipeg