INHALE, BUT JUST A LITTLE

Who would have thought that the Canadian Senate would come forward with
such a radical and controversial report on the use of marijuana in Canada?

It may have been a red-letter day for pot smokers when the senate suggested
that our legislators move towards decriminalizing and legalizing grass, but
it was also a wake-up call for the rest of Canadians who were ambivalent to
pot over the past two decades.

Our society has come a long way from the days when pot was seen as an evil
drug causing insane behaviour in those who used it. But for many of the
older generation it is still lumped in the category of an evil drug, the
same as heroin, cocaine, LSD or a host of pharmaceutical drugs that mess
with your body and mind.

The vast majority of Canadians now realize that pot isn't all that bad.

When a young person goes on a vandalism rampage one always hears, "They
must have been on dope."

More likely they were on booze, and not pot.

For those who know the effects of grass, it always makes one laid-back,
unable or unwilling to take part in violent behaviour of any kind.

To legalize grass is a big step and must be taken slowly and cautiously.
Canadians must learn more about grass and get in on the debate.

Grass may be less harmful than alcohol, but it is not without its bad side.
Even when we talk about medicinal grass, one has to wonder if smoking is a
good way to deliver medicine. Surely we can give those who need grass, for
medicinal purposes the active ingredient found in grass in a pill form so
that the benefit isn't harmed by the side effects, especially on one's lungs.

To drink in moderation is fine and to smoke grass in moderation is also
acceptable.

But to allow 16-year-olds to buy it seems a little far-reaching. We don't
allow them to purchase liquor or cigarettes until they are 19, and we
should keep it that way when it pertains to grass for now.

We don't want people driving cars when they're on booze; we don't want
people driving cars when they're on grass, or any other drug. This should
be a given.

Decriminalizing grass sets off alarm bells.

We don't want young people, or old people for that matter, to have criminal
records if they are caught with a joint, but we don't want them to be
pot-heads either. In moderation it is fine. Too much impairs your ability
to be all that you can be, and it isn't the greatest substance you can haul
into your lungs.

Wouldn't it be nice to say to pot users that they should take those "grass
pills" in moderation.

Grass is a drug that can be beneficial to many in our society, used in
moderation.

But to decriminalize it has its own problems. Will we be giving a blank
cheque to factions like biker gangs to get richer and more powerful? One
would think that it would be better to legalize it and let the government
control it and, of course, make a few bucks from the taxation that will follow.

Grass is not the devil, and eventually it should be legalized. Let our
police forces concentrate on the really dangerous drugs like cocaine and
heroin; but this war will never be won in our lifetimes.

The debate is only beginning, and all points of view should be listened to
so that we as a responsible and caring society can make the best decision
in the interests of all.