Editor,
RE: Timing of legalizing marijuana not right, Black Press, Observer Editorial Wed. Sept. 19, 2018
To state that I was extremely disappointed in Black Press’ editorial on the legalization of marijuana would be an understatement.
Having waited for over half a century for Canada to come to its senses regarding this benign, God-given medicinal herb; one that possesses more positive qualities than any other plant know to man, any time it might be legalized would be a good time.
The tone of the editorial sounds like something coming out of the “Reefer Madness” mania era of the 1930s, when the then nascent petro-chemical companies in the USA were hell-bent on getting rid of the hemp market and replacing every natural product with oil-based synthetics.
It’s the same old guilt by association technique that’s always used to equate an ancient, natural, non-addictive, medicinal plant with the current opioid epidemic and the crack problem and any other chemical drugs on the market in order to side-track the issue and prevent sensible dialogue on the positive effects that the plant possesses.
Black Press appears to be too straight to understand that the recreational side of pot is a positive rather than a negative, and that there’s nothing inherently evil or criminal in feeling good and enjoying yourself without having to endure all the negative side-effects that come with having to get drunk in order to achieve a somewhat similar state of mind.
Where the editorial really goes off track, though, is in its naivete with respect to “stoned drivers.” Were “stoned drivers” a real problem in our society, this aspect of marijuana use would have become blatantly apparent 50 years ago. It’s a myth, one created by the anti-pot crowd and the media in order to increase the fear of the herb. Thousands of drivers across this country have been smoking pot and driving since the sixties and there are absolutely no statistics that show any increase in accidents or fatalities like those caused by drunk drivers. Again, it’s just another example of fear mongering.
Black Press’ assessment of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s political future is likely correct and in that regard I hope their prognosis is correct, but to suggest that it was Justin’s idea to legalize marijuana again shows how politically naive Black Press is when it comes to the marijuana issue. Those who orchestrated the Liberal victory that brought back the Trudeau dynasty knew that the general public has wanted pot legalized for decades and they wisely used that card to get him elected.
And for that, I’m thankful and so are thousands of others who have suffered unnecessarily from these draconian laws that have brought nothing but suffering, misery and criminal records to their victims.
Arthur Topham
Cottonwood, B.C.
