PROPOSED POT LAWS WORTH EXPLORING

When I walk down some Vancouver streets, such as Davie and Robson, I see
people light up joints just as often as others light up cigarettes. People
seem oblivious to the fact that marijuana is illegal.

At large public events, such as the annual fireworks show at English Bay, I
always sit near someone smoking up. Maybe it's just my seating choices, but
it seems to me more people smoke marijuana than cigarettes at these events.

We all know by now smoking cigarettes and marijuana causes serious health
problems. Cigarettes, and cigars for that matter, are so widely used that
it's accepted by society. Now marijuana is growing in popularity and the
federal government is taking steps to update its drug laws.

Few would argue Canada's drug laws and policies need to change, but is
decriminalizing small amounts of marijuana the solution? Handing out
tickets for smoking pot is an idea worth exploring, but I do not agree with
the way the government is doing it.

People smoke pot openly because they know they are not likely to be taken
to court over one or two joints. Handing out tickets is a penalty they will
have to deal with, otherwise, (hopefully) they will be taken to court. What
I don't agree with is the way the government is proposing to divide up the
amount a person is fined based on their age.

If you're old enough to smoke, you're old enough to deal with the
consequences. There's no difference when it come to breaking the law while
driving. Smoking pot when you're older is not worst than smoking pot when
you're young.

But it is when people are young that they try marijuana and get hooked. It
is when they are young that they should learn smoking pot is not good and
it will get you in trouble.