CHALLENGES OF MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION

To the Editor:

Some "thoughtful" points regarding the legalization of the lowly yet
cherished marijuana plant.

It would seem to my overactive imagination that the media industry as well
as some "brilliant" intellectuals in our Canadian society, are on a
campaign to legalize their approval of this wonderful weed for stimulation,
medication or for any other ailments one might have. Kind of like an all
purpose snake oil.

Legalizing this wonderful substance could provide some challenges that
should be considered.

#1 How will the stupid non-using people ever be successful in a society
surrounded by all the intellectually enhanced Einstein's that would be
using the legalized supersmartweed?

#2 The noble, kind and generous folk that presently cultivate and market
this wonderful crop (out of the goodness of their hearts, of course) would
need to survive. If the value of this easily grown weed dropped to make its
growth and traffic uneconomical, these wonderful folks might be forced, out
of economic necessity to begin to dabble in more lucrative illegal
substances. They might be forced to lower their high moral standards just
to eke out the humble lifestyle that the presently maintain.

#3 Our healthcare system would probably go broke. Why once people began to
puff the magic uh, dragon, there would be no more sickness and pain, and
sorrow and sighing would flee away. Our hospitals and doctors and nurses
and dentists and chiropractors and I'm not sure who else, would all be out
of work. If one did feel the slightest twinge of pain, one could wander
down to the local convenience store and purchase a pack of magic marlboros
(which of course would be very cheap since it doesn't harm the body like
that nasty tobacco) and one could endure almost anything after lighting up
and inhabiting the following painfree and intellectually enlightening fog.

#4 The politicians would not know where to spend all the surplus tax
revenue from this popular commodity, they would have to spend it on long
black limos with dark tinted windows and heavy gold chains to wear. Oh
wait, how could they possibly tax something that is more important than
food? Better scratch #4.

#5 Taking this stuff away from the underage group would certainly cause
considerably anxiety to them. Consider for a moment how tough it is on the
kids of today, to have to wait until the legal age before taking a sip of
alcohol or a puff of tobacco. Of course we all know that NOBODY jumps the
gun, right? So to add another substance to the controlled product list
would be most inconsiderate.

Really though, it seems to me that human nature is such that when a line is
drawn anywhere, there are those that insist on stepping across it. Moving
the line is not going to change anything. If marijuana is as harmless as
many promote, and if it does not lead to the use of "harder" drugs, then
what better place to leave a line. This way, those that need a line to step
across can do so without harming themselves or others.

James Mason

Mayerthorpe, Alberta