Pubdate: Mon, 28 Jun 2010
Source: Lethbridge Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2010 The Lethbridge Herald
Contact:  http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/239
Author: Tamara Cartwright
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v10/n471/a03.html?1251

CANNABIS SUPPORTERS DESERVE TOLERANCE, TOO

I wasn't going to respond to Mr. Capp's letter (June 19) but, after a 
day of contemplation, felt the that I must.

Firstly I am very tolerant of everything, hence my activism for 
cannabis. It would be hard to be so active if I was unaccepting; as 
people of all walks of life come out - young, old, gay, straight, 
green, yellow - I will accept anyone, and their opinion.

But when someone is writing outright lies about a misunderstood 
subject, it really angers me! Yes, there are studies that show if you 
have schizophrenia, cannabis will enhance psychosis. Studies have now 
proven it doesn't cause schizophrenia.

Like any medication, it doesn't work for everyone. Studies have shown 
that it is rather effective for many mental-health disorders, such as 
ADD, ADHD, depression and anxiety. In a perfect world, we would have 
no substance abuse; this includes caffeine, tobacco, alcohol. But our 
children are not going to be more interested in drugs if they are 
legal. Other countries such as Portugal have found their crime and 
consumption rates decrease due to legalizing small amounts of all 
drugs. Mexico has followed suit.

The only way to stop these organized criminals is to take their 
product away! Legalize and regulate and get it off the street.

I would no more want to see my children smoking, drinking or doing 
drugs than the next parent, but as parents and as humans, we all know 
that in some cases there is just no stopping them. Educating your 
children about these subjects is key, but to expect that there will 
never be usage of these things is just impossible. So we must be 
accepting of all opinions, as well as freedom of choice, which is all 
we are asking for.

Tamara Cartwright,
Taber 
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart