STEPPING-STONE CLAIMS RIDICULOUS

Re: "Police seek more power to shut down pot houses," Nov. 27.

If alcohol, tobacco and marijuana were all newly discovered and only
one of them was to be legalized, which one would be chosen? If people
put themselves in charge of the government as it was meant to be then
the decision would be based upon addiction and health.

Out of the above criteria, marijuana would be the most likely
candidate for legalization. More than half of Canada has used or uses
marijuana, either for medicinal or "recreational" reasons.

The fact remains, marijuana is NOT addictive, does not have any known
long-term effects, and certainly does not promote violence, except for
the fact that it is associated with a "criminal" element only due to
the fact that it is illegal!

It is also ridiculous to say that it is the stepping stone to harder
drugs.

If marijuana was legalized, then there would be no more illegal grow
ops, no more marijuana "pushers" and a heck of a lot less innocent
people filling up the courtrooms. It is "high" time that people start
ruling the government instead of the government ruling the people.

NATHAN REED
Sidney