POT ARGUMENT LACKING THE FACTS

The Editor:

Rodney Cockroft is a typical example of those who want to legalize
marijuana ['Pot not so bad,' Times Letters, Sept. 17] - long on theory,
short on facts.

Cockroft obviously supports the frequently held opinion that because
prohibition was a failure, we should learn from our mistakes and legalize
marijuana. What a preposterous idea.

If we were to legalize everything that is difficult to control we would
eventually have anarchy. While there is some validity to decriminalizing
the use of marijuana, we should not lose sight of the fact that this drug
is a much more potent product today than it was 20 years ago.

We should also take note of the preponderance of research evidence that
seriously contradicts the claim that this is a benign drug. Check the
Internet for a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse entitled
'Facts for teens.'

This report clearly contradicts the claim that marijuana is harmless.

A more damning report comes from the Central Narcotics Intelligence Bureau
of the Egyptian government, which has this to say: "The prepared product of
the cannabis sativa plant is capable of altering the brain cells - it is in
fact a thoroughly vicious and dangerous drug."

This report says more but this should be enough to cause any sane person to
move forward on this issue with a great deal of caution. Egypt has been
dealing with this drug use for a far greater time than we have.

We would be better served if we could convince our government to provide
our police with extraordinary powers to deal with organized crime. These
people are no different than those who commit genocide and should be dealt
with accordingly.

Al. C. Johnson
Abbotsford