Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jul 2013
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2013 Canwest Publishing Inc.
Contact: 
http://www.calgaryherald.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: James Currie
Cited: Vienna Declaration: http://www.viennadeclaration.com/the-declaration/

DECRIMINALIZE POT

Re: "Trudeau should rethink legalizing pot," Naomi Lakritz, Opinion, July 27.

Naomi Lakritz's selective quotes of the medical literature are not 
helpful. For instance, a complete review of the literature reveals 
that the purported link between schizophrenia and marijuana is very 
weak, if it exists at all.

It is probably true that marijuana has ill effects on the adolescent 
brain, but it seems that teens are the very ones who are using the 
drug, perhaps because it's illegal.

There is no evidence that strict enforcement of drug laws has reduced 
their use at all, and imprisoning users is a waste of lives and public money.

For those who are interested, the Vienna declaration on drug policy 
is worth reading. It provides solid evidence for at least 
decriminalizing drugs, and concentrating on education and treatment for users.

James Currie

Calgary
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom