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Education not prohibition
By Hempology | August 2, 2007
Ottawa Citizen, ON
30 Jul 2007
CANNABIS HEALTH RISKS CALL FOR EDUCATION, NOT PROHIBITION
Re: Marijuana’s scary science, July 26.
Columnist Margret Kopala’s claims that cannabis use is a causal factor in mental illness are far from scientifically established. At best, an observable association between cannabis use and mental illness has been established in a minority of users; however, much of this association may stem from the use of other drugs or from individuals with psychotic symptoms self-medicating with marijuana.
More important, such potential health risks associated with cannabis use — when scientifically documented — should not be seen as legitimate reasons for criminal prohibition. Rather, such effects support the call for legally regulating marijuana so that officials can better educate users on its potential risks, and so that better safeguards may be enacted restricting its use among potentially vulnerable populations, especially young people.
Ms. Kopala’s remarks, even if taken at face value, no more warrant the continued criminalization of pot than does the desire that pregnant women refrain from alcohol warrant the blanket prohibition of booze.
Paul Armentano, Washington, D.C.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws Foundation
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