ROADSIDE TESTS MUST CONSIDERED

Canadians are being asked to pass judgment on the Senate Committee's
recommendations to legalize marijuana without full consideration being
given to the fact that there are no known "roadside" tests that law
enforcement officers can use at the present time to determine whether a
driver is handicapped by this substance, as is the case with alcohol.

Until those tools are provided this proposal is premature.

Proponents of legalization will not raise it. Those opposing it may well
have other bases of disagreement.

The challenge being made here is that the media take a practical look of
the effect of those 16 and older having unlimited access to a mood modifier
that may create as much carnage on the highways as would unregulated use of
alcohol.

"Years ago, they didn't have the .08 level to work with either, but they
worked at it and it became accepted," Mr. Thomson said.

"There has got to be a way, or someone should come up with a way, of
testing marijuana levels that can be proven in court."

Mr. Thomson's son along with four others died in a crash where marijuana
rather than alcohol was deemed a factor. Details are available on the Internet.

"Guilty until proven innocent" must be the norm applied to full acceptance
of a new intoxicant into our society.

As yet, this aspect of its effect has not been considered.

Jack Davies

(You're absolutely right)