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  Paper On Pot Pushed Wonders of Weed
Posted by CN Staff on May 12, 2002 at 09:38:52 PT
Editorial 
Source: NOW Magazine  

cannabis The Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs released a discussion paper on pot last week, and in the process exploded many of the marijuana myths that have kept policy-makers in a fog when it comes to decriminalization. Will it help cure the Grits of their reefer madness? Here's an excerpt.

Everyone has opinions on cannabis yet opinions are often biased, based on myths and lack of information. Indeed, some of our own opinions were just that when we began our study. Cannabis may well be one of the most studied of all plants. Yet even scientific evidence is contradictory.

Some of the conclusions that emerge from the research may shock some of you.

Studies indicate that the vast majority of cannabis smokers never progress to other drugs.

While it is true that most users of hard drugs have also used cannabis before these other drugs..., other factors, mainly psychosocial, would better explain progression to other drugs.

Between 8 and 10 per cent of cannabis users may develop some psychological dependency, a much smaller proportion than for many other drugs, illegal and legal, and comparable to prescribed medications.

For most dependent users, stopping use for a few days is usually sufficient to eliminate any symptom of addiction.

Cannabis, like any other drug, has potential negative health effects. But it also has positive effects. These include relaxation, euphoria and sociability. Cannabis also has therapeutic applications.

Many of us perceive that a significant proportion of ordinary criminality is related to drugs. Nevertheless, the relationship between drugs and crime is more complex. This relationship does not apply in the case of cannabis.

It is impossible to estimate the total costs of cannabis criminalization. The most recent Auditor General's Report mentions that the annual cost of fighting illegal drugs for federal agencies alone is over $500 million.

Cannabis, like other drugs, impairs motor and coordination abilities.

Drivers under the influence of cannabis are more cautious and less aggressive and drive more slowly than drivers under the influence of alcohol.

Some witnesses before the committee and individuals writing to us are concerned that a more "liberal" drug policy would mean increased use, especially by youth.

Studies show that in the Netherlands, despite a more liberal approach than other countries', the proportion of youth using cannabis is not higher. In fact, it is in the middle of the pack.

Does cannabis use affect academic performance or social abilities? Studies indicate that problem young cannabis users are also problem alcohol users, manifesting other "risk-taking" behaviour. These are therefore symptoms of other underlying problems rather than causes.

Much to our surprise, public policies have little impact on use levels and patterns.

Prohibition and criminalization entail a criminal record for simple cannabis possession, fuel a black market that brings young people into contact with criminal elements and force them to hide to avoid police scrutiny.

Public policies also entail other negative effects. Prohibition makes public health approaches, balanced information, prevention and quality control of substances difficult, if not impossible.

National policies on drugs find much of their legitimacy in the international conventions and treaties.

Yet these international agreements evolved in the absence of any significant drug problem in the developed countries that pushed them.

Complete Title: Senate Sparks Up: Paper On Pot Pushed Wonders of Weed

Source: NOW Magazine (Canada)
Published: Vol. 21 No. 36 May 9 - 15, 2002
Copyright: 2002 NOW Communications Inc.
Contact: letters@nowtoronto.com
Website: http://www.nowtoronto.com/

Related Articles & Web Site:

Canadian Links
http://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htm

MPs Present Petition To Reintroduce Pot Bill
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12785.shtml

Canada: The Debate Over Decriminalization
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12697.shtml

Should We Treat Pot Like Tobacco? Senators Ask
http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread12696.shtml


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Comment #4 posted by freddybigbee on May 13, 2002 at 09:38:40 PT:

Oh, Canada
If Canada legalized cannabis, their problem keeping young, educated workers from moving to the U.S. would be history.

Not only would more bright people stay, they would be joined by tens of thousands of U.S. citizens that are fed-up with prohibition and the schedule-one lie. I, for one, would be happy to work in Canada for 60% as much money as I make in the U.S. Freedom is valuable, and tyranny a curse.

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Comment #3 posted by Lehder on May 12, 2002 at 19:18:08 PT
time to celebrate?
Feel free to start the party without me.

The Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs released a discussion paper on pot last week, and in the process exploded many of the marijuana myths that have kept policy-makers in a fog....

I'll believe it when I see them opening the jail cell doors. The information has been available for decades, and these do-nothings' own kids have been exploding the myths all along.

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Comment #2 posted by Robbie on May 12, 2002 at 11:39:33 PT
This is excellent
And it should be delivered to every legislator in our own country. This is, after all, a government commission (like all the ones we've had before, here and abroad) that states categorically, the myths about cannabis are just that...myths. Time to truly re-examine the failed policy of demonizing cannabis and cannabis users. Once that drama goes, "the drug problem" can be addressed much more directly (heroin addiction, cocaine, alcohol, nicotine...)

Now, if this paper, or the Canadian commission's findings, change anything in this country, monkeys may begin to fly out of my butt. Still, it would seem that more people, citizens and legislators alike, are getting real information about cannabis, and something may change sooner, rather than later.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #1 posted by p4me on May 12, 2002 at 11:17:35 PT
Canadain Press covers marijuana
Cannabis, like any other drug, has potential negative health effects. But it also has positive effects. These include relaxation, euphoria and sociability. Cannabis also has therapeutic applications.

They have pills that do the same thing and they call it medicine. Corruption and obfuscation rule. Reelect Busch. He didn't have sex in the oval office.

VAAI

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