WE'RE NOT ALL STONERS

The Federal Government Ignored Young Abstainers In Drafting Its Muddled New
Marijuana Legislation

The opinion of youth on the issue of marijuana decriminalization was
mentioned only once in your coverage Wednesday. In one broad stroke, you
assume that all youth have awakened from their stoned stupor long enough to
celebrate the loosening of Canada's pot laws.

This generalization is one-sided and unfair. As a young person, I believe
that the proposed legislation, above all else, sends the wrong message:
that drugs are acceptable. No matter how many politicians the government
trots out to deny this accusation, it's clear that the idea of the new law
is confusing, muddled and will ultimately lead to an increase in drug
abuse. From a health and social standpoint, that's exactly what we don't want.

Without a doubt, the new legislation will affect Canadian youth most
significantly. To be fair, therefore, a balanced range of opinions from
young people is needed. For instance, the Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee
of Mississauga has opposed this legislation since last year and I am
confident that a substantial segment of youth in other municipalities and
communities across Canada agree.

Not all young Canadians are stoned potheads who are rejoicing over the
prospect of cheap weed.

William Li, Mayor's Youth Advisory Committee, Mississauga