TRUTHS ABOUT CANNABIS ARE SURFACING

Dear Editor,

"Has the prime minister gone to pot?"

That statement just blew me away. How can they use that as a rationale for
decriminalizing a drug that is known to be a catalyst for even heavier
drug use? But they did.

I think that you will find that all credible studies with regard to this
point show that Cannabis is not a catalyst aka a gateway substance. The
individuals involved (generally with personality / psychological problems
anyway) go on to use other addictive substances. As a percentage of
overall users of Cannabis this is very small.

Remember! Cannabis itself is not, physically addictive whereas alcohol,
nicotine, caffeine, cocaine, heroine and a number of other substances are.

It would be to the editors credit that they research the facts about
Cannabis and publish an article setting the record straight. There are a
number of bona-fide 'independent' sources available. Then, I think that
your community can form a realistic approach toward Cannabis.

The unfortunate thing is that since it's prohibition, Cannabis has been
used as a political football by some very destructive zealots basing their
justifications and demonizations on various myths (lies could be read
here), prejudices and personal (public) edification. This has been
primarily instigated by the US for the last 70 years. Fortunately the
truths about Cannabis are surfacing which is why many countries and even
States south of the boarder are or have already decriminalizing.

By the way, the writer believes that Cannabis , like alcohol, has no place
in the society of the young, workplace or operation of machinery. The use
of this natural substance by adults is a personal choice.

We need laws to protect children - by all means - but prohibition is not a
way to control Cannabis - it is a fruitless endeavour and infringes on our
freedoms and rights as Canadians.

Thank you

Eugene Hines

(Canadian working in the UK - Age 56)