ALCOHOL, NOT POT, THE GREATER CONCERN

It really bothered me that the Canadian Medical Association chief is
concerned that pot smoking will become normal societal behaviour (CMA chief
raises concern about medical use of pot, March 12).

What about drinking alcohol? This pastime has become normal societal
behaviour through the tolerance of society. We have teenagers as young as
15 going to Alcoholics Anonymous. People who have been drinking get behind
the wheel of a car and kill other people or damage property.

I have never read or heard of someone killing or damaging property due to
just smoking pot.

I do agree pot opens the gate to experiment with other drugs, but we have
the knowledge of their damaging effects. There are more damaging effects to
the body from drinking alcohol than smoking pot.

For many years, it's been argued there are long-term effects on the body
from smoking pot, but there is no list of these damaging effects. Why? If
my neighbour comes over and drinks a beer or has a shot of liquor, why is
it not appropriate for me to light up a joint? Is it because it's not
socially accepted? Or is it because society hasn't become normal yet?

Lisa Judge

London