PERSON, NOT POT, TO BLAME

Editor;

I would like to respond to Cat Cadeau (Regulation for a reason, Peace Arch
News, June 26).

It is stated the reason certain substances are banned is not because they
are harmful, but because they cause people to do harmful things to others.
I could not believe I just heard someone claim they believe this is why
marijuana is illegal. I have never come across a violent marijuana smoker.
I have come across violent people who smoked marijuana, but they were far
more violent when they had not been smoking than when they had. I have seen
far more bar-room brawls, and parking lot fights between drunks than
between stoned people.

Any criminal behaviour that causes harm to another person should be dealt
with and the person who committed such an offense should be held responsible.

A person should have the right to consume anything they want. Drugs are
illegal because of an industry that has been built around their prohibition.