MIXED MESSAGE

Dear Editor:

The decriminalization of marijuana issue sends a mixed and discombobulated
message from our politicians as they consider the matter.

For years, the federal and provincial governments spent millions upon
millions of dollars to deter smokers from purchasing cigarettes; bombarded
our younger members of society with negative campaigning to not "light up;"
increased cigarette taxes numerous times; implemented "no-smoking" bans in
every corner of our cities and towns; and made every attempt to blame
smokers for the "ills" of our health care system. They are now considering
whether pot should be made available next to the candy counter in a
convenience store near you.

Let me draw this scenario to an equally frightening analogy: The government
decides it now wants to ban beer (the five-per-cent alcohol kind) and spends
millions of your tax dollars to deter beer drinkers from buying beer, and
spends more millions of dollars convincing society of the ill effects of
beer. Meanwhile, the government-appointed Senate committee recommends to the
same politicians that it would be cost-beneficial and perfectly safe to
legalize moonshine (the 30-per-cent alcohol kind) and make it available in
our convenience stores - and, as a bonus, reduce the legal age of purchase
from 18 years of age to 16.

Mark Cameron, Halifax