VICTIMLESS INDULGENCE NOT A CRIME

Editor, The News:

As with most controversial social issues, marijuana has attracted enough
scientific studies that you can find support for your position, no matter
which side of the debate you are on.

Eric Myrholm rightly makes this point in his letter of Jan. 23 ('Two sides
to pot story: Here's mine,' Opinion).

But while the scientific studies cited may prove the harmfulness of
marijuana use, they do not constitute a convincing argument against
decriminalization.

Whether or not pot is a cancer-causing, "gateway" drug, the harm done is
self-inflicted.

Similarly, eating too much sugar can result in obesity, heart failure and
diabetes, which can be fatal.

But again, the harm is self-inflicted.

We are not so silly as to hand out criminal records to obese people caught
in possession of chocolate chip cookies! Sugar abuse is a victimless act,
harming only the abuser, so we do not criminalize it.

Alcohol, tobacco, sugar and marijuana are obviously very different
substances.

But each of them can be used without harming other people.

Why, then, are only the marijuana users singled out for harsh treatment,
while abusers of the other substances are treated with compassion?

For almost half a century, countless Canadian young people have ignored our
laws and smoked pot at will.

After causing no harm to society, most pot smokers eventually mature out of
their habit and become productive members of society. Criminalizing their
victimless behavior is pointless.

Moreover, our laws should permit the possession of enough marijuana to allow
users to cultivate their own, in small quantities. If they grow their own,
they can stop buying from criminals, and that will deprive organized crime
of profits.

Unfortunately, this positive scenario might be prevented by those who
advocate reducing the proposed 30-gram possession limit, thereby effectively
preventing users from growing their own.

Decriminalization will focus our efforts on helping users, rather than
harming them.

It will free up our police for more important work, and may represent a
significant setback for organized crime.

Decriminalization makes sense; let's be sensible enough to support it.

Paul M

Abbotsford