WE MIGHT AS WELL JUST DECRIMINALIZE POT ALTOGETHER

The whole debate about whether or not marijuana should be decriminalized,
or if possession charges should result in a fine instead of a criminal
offence, has been -- no pun intended -- rolled into the spotlight now more
than ever.

Up until recently, the marijuana laws were left untouched and appeared to
be staying that way, much to the displeasure of decriminalization
activists. But it seems Canada is starting to toy with the idea of relaxing
the marijuana laws, although just how far they'll go is something we have
to wait to see.

In my opinion, the only decision that makes any sense is to decriminalize
the drug altogether. If those in power decide to change the marijuana laws
to something other than complete decriminalization, I think we'd basically
be back to square one.

The other recommendations make no sense. You can grow and possess 30 grams
of pot or less at the risk of a fine, but trafficking would still be a
criminal offence? So you can grow your own plants and smoke your own bud
and receive a possible fine but try selling it and you wind up in jail? Am
I the only one who sees something wrong with this picture?

A commons committee made the above mentioned recommendation last month and
legislature on the matter could be introduced this year.

Halton Police Chief Ean Algar has said he supports possession of a small
quantity of marijuana being treated as a non-criminal offence, but only for
the first offence and at the officer's discretion. He, too, is way off the
mark. This is basically saying, since it's your first time I'll let you
off, but don't you do this again because you'll be going to jail.

Chief Algar has also said he's concerned that young people are getting the
message that drugs are okay, which he said isn't the case. He said
teenagers are confused and have asked Drug Abuse Resistance Education
(D.A.R.E.) officers if drugs are good or bad.

I think we all know some drugs are more harmful than others. But alcohol
and cigarettes can have fatal consequences and those products are readily
available.

Doctors are now saying a glass of red wine a day is good for the heart. But
nothing positive can be said about tobacco.

Marijuana does have negative side effects (short-term memory loss is the
first thing to come to mind) but the good outweighs the bad. The drug is
known to help individuals suffering from AIDS, multiple sclerosis, cancer,
arthritis and glaucoma, plus numerous other conditions and diseases. It's
also known to ease nausea and make you feel relaxed.

If marijuana is decriminalized, I would support some sort of punishment for
driving while under the influence. After all, it does alter your mental
state and some of us just can't function the same as a sober person while
stoned.

The bottom line is, make a decision that's black or white, not gray.