WHY THE URGE TO LEGALIZE POT?

THE EDITOR:

Re: 'Parliament can settle pot debate,' Times Editorial, Dec. 24.

Some statements in part: "Current laws, which they say make criminals out
of people who are engaged in minimally harmful activity, no more
threatening than coffee, fast food or alcohol;" and "30 percent of
Canadians claim to have smoked pot at some time in their lives and with no
apparent ill effects."

Marijuana is not a health enhancer, it is the most frequently used illegal,
possibly addictive drug in Canada and the United States.

A recent U.S. government survey tells us that more than 83 million
Americans over the age of 12 have tried marijuana at least once and 12
million had used the drug in the month before the survey.

Research also suggests that the use of drugs and alcohol by other family
members plays a strong role in whether children start using drugs.

Marijuana can be harmful in a number of ways, through both immediate
effects and damage to health over time.

It affects short-term memory, perception, reaction time and judgment, plus
other negative results.

Some heavy users show signs of dependence and may develop withdrawal
symptoms such as restlessness, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, weight
loss and shaking hands.

It appears that many individuals use marijuana for psychological coping,
dealing with anxiety, anger, depression, boredom, and so forth.

Marijuana is not an effective method for coping with life's problems, and
staying "high"can be a way of simply not dealing with the problems and
challenges of growing up, or facing everyday problems.

We accept that tobacco is a harmful drug. Research suggests that marijuana
may be a greater cancer risk than tobacco.

THC can lower resistance to both bacterial and viral infections. The
sharing of a "joint," which is done many times, is a way of transmitting
infections.

The tar in marijuana smoke contains higher concentrations of hydrocarbons
than tar from tobacco. It deposits four times as much tar in the
respiratory tract as a comparable amount of tobacco.

The editorial also stated: "After digesting volumes of research, the Senate
concluded pot is not a gateway drug, nor does it have detrimental effects
on society."

Where did they get the volumes of research information? From the marijuana
lobby? Or from valid scientific research reports?

Why is it so important that this dangerous illegal drug become more
accessible? How does the use of this drug benefit society?

Eric Myrholm, Abbotsford