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Mar. 14 - Mar. 21, 2004 |
Culture Vulture
Spare Us The Potheads ( I think)
By Donna Lypchuk
Originally Published: 2004-02-15
The debate over whether or not marijuana should be legalized in Canada has become so polarized that I have found it personally VERY hard to take a position on it either way. I mean, I know what I think of people who smoke a lot of marijuana, but is what I think really best for the country, the future of our children and especially the potheads? I mean, this really does seem to be all about making long-term smokers, who are sick of sneaking around, legitimate citizens.
The problem seems to be that there is no accurate information on the effects of marijuana anywhere. If you go on the internet and look for sites about it you will more than likely encounter a pro-marijuana point of view financed and written by (who else?) a pothead. According to long-term, heavy smokers of marijuana, the bud cures everything from epilepsy, glaucoma and World War III. While lighting up a spliff, they will insist it is not addictive. There is also the spiritual argument - that smoking the stuff leads to spiritual enlightenment. O.K. I'll buy it. Who am I to deny a bunch of overworked, poverty-stricken hosers the opening of their third eye? Still the pro-pot smokers are just a tad too similar to the nicotine addicts I know. They get that same glazed, panic stricken look in their eyes at the slightest hint that they might run out of their stash.
On the other hand, if you consult a so-called anti-marijuana expert, you will find out that marijuana leads to lung cancer, promiscuity and bad SAT scores. Then you find out this same individual believes that watching American Idol leads to lung cancer, promiscuity and bad SAT scores.
The problem here is that we really don't know what the long-term effects of sustained marijuana use has on health and society. Medical studies which also tend to be financed or authoured by potsmokers, say there is no psychological dependence, but if that is true, then why the push to legalize it? I say, just continue to smoke it like you have been for the last 30 years. What's the problem? On the other hand, there is the argument that cigarettes and alcohol are legal so why shouldn't dope be? Cigarettes and alcohol don't lead to promiscuity and bad SAT scores.
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