SERIOUS THINKING

I agree with decriminalizing marijuana's use and possession,
especially for purely medicinal purposes or for recreational use,
considering that a large proportion of Canada's citizens, including some
very notorious people, seemingly indulge in the weed.

But please, let's think this one out before allowing anyone to use it
liberally, without any fear of damaging effects, especially the
nation's youth, who are, lest we have forgotten, the builders of
tomorrow's society. Aren't youngsters having enough problems facing
tough career choices, struggling at school or simply trying to cope
within a dysfunctional family, without further exacerbating what is
already a deteriorating situation?

And has anyone thought as to how effectively we will be able to
control its consumption when this activity, which can take less than a
minute at times, can be virtually practised any time of day or any
place, and inconspicuously at that?

And what about increased health care costs? There is ample medical
evidence that women on birth control pills who also smoke cigarettes
will see their risk of suffering a stroke increase significantly if
marijuana is added to the mix. Yet, we seem to ignore that. And how
many more people will eventually become obese from coming down with
those late-night, acute cases of "the munchies" after toking, and
thereby increase their risks for life-threatening heart disease?

Yet another issue in this boiling pot is the equally severe dangers of
smoking dope and driving. But thanks to government information
campaigns that naively continue to perpetuate the myth of drinking and
driving, many people still do not realize that a significant
percentage of road and water accidents can be attributed to drugs also and
not just alcohol.

Seems to me that we have some more serious thinking to do before even
contemplating its decriminalization. All we need is a joint effort to get
it right this time.

Jean-Pierre Allard

(So to speak -- but honestly, the issue's been debate enough)