Pubdate: Thu, 18 Jul 2002
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2002 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Nick Palliser

PREJUDICED LANGUAGE CLUTTERS POT DEBATE

People will never get over their bias against marijuana unless and until 
the language used in this debate is normalized.

For example, the media, police and general population use the following 
terms that objectify the biases:

- - "user" instead of consumer

- - "trafficking" instead of selling

- - "toked" instead of smoked

- - "roach" instead of butt

Normalizing the language in the debate will go a long way to create an 
informed public -- or at least one that can compare prejudice with reality.

Nick Palliser,

St. Albert
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MAP posted-by: Beth