OK TO START POT AT 16

Editor,

In your Sunday, Sept. 15 editorial, 'Pot debate misses mark,' it should be
noted that the senators themselves suggested 16 as a starting point in the
debate. Clearly, it has agitated public opinion more than other
recommendations in their report.

The average age of introduction to cannabis is 15 and use is highest in
ages 16 to 24. The committee's report accepts reality. Your concern about
youths mixing cannabis with school is a scenario already happening, for
which the senators describe as heavy or excessive use, meriting interdiction.

Society accepts 16 as the driving age, where young people are deemed
responsible for making decisions that can be life-threatening, e.g., turn
left in front of the fast-approaching big truck. In comparison, choosing to
use cannabis, in moderation, in the appropriate time and setting, is minor.

At 16, people can be responsible enough to not use it when driving, at
school or work or any other socially inappropriate time.

If the age of cannabis consent finally settles at 18, and the average age
of introduction remains the same, for three years the young people have
been obtaining their cannabis from sources outside of the regulated market,
exposing them to cannabis that hasn't been government-inspected, nor limits
the sale to only cannabis. Dealers offering cannabis to the pre-of-age
teens may offer an enticing assortment of harder drugs, like alcohol or
cocaine. It is better to accept a certain reality that some 16-year-olds
will seek cannabis and have them go through regulated channels.

In Sweden and native reservations where cannabis is prohibited, curious
teens opt for solvents or alcohol. David Malmo Levine even credits cannabis
as preventing his teenage suicide.

The senators aimed at rigour and transparency, succeeding admirably.

John Gordon

Vancouver