LAWS AGAINST POT A MISTAKE

Editor, The Gazette:

Re: Two sides to marijuana (July 3, 2002) - Marijuana, the edge of the
wedge, huh, just like cocaine and "Heroine," eh?

About a month ago, Dr. Patrick Smith of the Centre for Addiction and Mental
Health told the Senaate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs that: "If we
discovered three drugs today and they were alcohol, tobacco and marijuana,
there isn't an expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana be
the one that is banned on individual and societal harm." (Doc says pot is
less harmful than booze and tobacco, calls for legalization, June 7, 2002,
Windsor Star)

The prohibition of cannabis has demonstrated itself to be an ineffective
law that is neither a deterrent to youth or to marijuana growers.

If there isn't an expert in the country who would recommend that marijuana
would be the one that is banned based on individual and societal harm, then
the prohibition of cannabis is a mistake that must end.

Wayne Phillips

Hamilton, Ontario