STOP POT ASSUMPTIONS

Cynthia Gamble, in her recently published letter ('Pot Test Needed'
(June 21 edition), made some very popular but incorrect assumptions
about cannabis.

If personal use is currently being "encouraged" because of lack of
"legal intervention ... fines, and court appearances," then we must be
encouraging tobacco smoking, and alcohol drinking too!

Never mind the quite obvious warnings on the cigarette pack (why
aren't they on beer bottles, or liquor bottles? That's another question).

Never mind all the anti-drinking and anti-smoking literature that's
available, even though those actions are legal. Legal does not mean
encouraged, it simply means that there's another choice for the
informed, consenting adult.

She says, "Lest we forget how many lives have been devastated by the
carelessness/irresponsibility of drunk driving," implying that
combining cannabis and driving is just as bad as driving drunk. This
is incorrect, however.

There are numerous studies to demonstrate that drivers who are
familiar with the effects from cannabis, and who haven't had any
drinks (have just smoked cannabis), are in fact, less responsible for
accidents than sober drivers.

Yes, that's right, stoned drivers can be safer drivers.

As for the breathalyzer test, it's an interesting tool, but as it
can't detect those who drive and talk on cellular phones (which are
just as deadly as drunk drivers), it can't detect those who are too
tired to drive, or any other form of illegal driving, so it's use is
limited.

What we need to start researching is not some substance-based test for
every single substance, but a general impairment test, so we can use
the same test for every situation.

That way we'll still catch those too impaired by drink, but we'll also
catch those too impaired by drugs, or lack-of-sleep, or just plain
inattention.

As for her specious question "Is the cancer less painful than
Tobaccos/abuse..." the answer is "what cancer?"

If she can find one, single verified case of cancer from cannabis
smoking, and cannabis smoking ONLY, then she will have found the
prohibitionist Holy Grail, because smoking cannabis has never caused a
case of cancer.

In fact, in past studies it has been shown that cannabis has actually
helped to cure cancer. Cannabis has never, and probably will never,
caused an overdose death either.

It is easier to overdose on water than it is on cannabis.

So, let's stop spreading these incorrect assumptions and start telling
the truth, both good and bad, about cannabis and all drugs.

Only then will we be able to have a rational, logical, truthful
discussion on drugs and drug policy.

Adam Scriven

Burnaby, BC