cannabisnews.com: Canada's Stance on Pot, Marriage is Admirable 





Canada's Stance on Pot, Marriage is Admirable 
Posted by CN Staff on June 28, 2003 at 14:19:27 PT
By Jared Strong 
Source: Iowa State Daily 
Ames, Iowa -- Those crazy Canucks with their weird slang and strange talk have been causing quite a ruckus in the United States as of late. Their move to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana didn't surprise me, but when people start legalizing homosexual marriage, my ears perk up. If you've been to Canada or have watched Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine," you'll know the country is quite a bit different from our own. You'd think the U.S./Canadian border spanned half the globe.
On the decriminalization issue, Canada has it right. I was hoping the same thing would have happened in Nevada, but this is almost as good. Finally, this victimless crime won't get a person a jail cell or impede their ability to get a job. Also, Canada now won't have to waste vast amounts of money on ridiculous, grossly exaggerated, and sometimes illogical commercials. Have you seen the anti-marijuana commercial where the two boys are smoking pot in a public restroom, laughing like little schoolgirls? If you haven't, allow me to enlighten you. The scene fades in and out a couple of times to represent a long period of time. After the scene fades back in the last time, a police officer busts the two of them. Then, a brilliant piece of unintelligence is flashed on the screen: "Marijuana -- Harmless?" Being legally harmful isn't an intrinsic property of marijuana. If we outlawed the use of fanny packs, a similar commercial could be made. With that said, the only redeeming value of the commercial is that it entertains. Whoever makes these commercials relies on erroneous stereotypes to make stoners the butt of a joke. Seriously though, who's laughing now? While I can't say pot is not physically damaging, it's hypocritical to make it illegal. With studies placing it among the ranks of caffeine with respect to many of its harmful properties, marijuana is far safer to use than alcohol and tobacco. Nevertheless, the old farts on Capital Hill are too scared or too ignorant to approve of its use in moderation. I stand 100 percent behind the Canadians for their stance on marijuana, and I feel the same toward establishing homosexual marriage. I fear too many people picture a gay person as someone who gets in your face about their sexual orientation. Consistently, this is the common gripe from people fed up with homosexuals. Well, I would like to say these gays do not represent the majority. Would you have a problem with the lifestyle if you didn't feel like you were being forced to accept it? This is a very big step in the right direction, and I applaud the Canadians for having the guts to do it. Many people feel uncomfortable with the idea because it is very different from traditional marriage. These same people must be ignoring the fact that blacks marry whites, 70-year-olds marry 20-year-olds and Julia Roberts married Lyle Lovett. As the saying goes, traditions are made to be broken. When it comes down to it, why should I care if a person is gay? My life has never been adversely affected by the gay population. Because of this, I mind my own business. People should be allowed to do whatever they want, as long as it doesn't infringe on the rights of others. The only people I've been in contact with who were up in arms about homosexuality were church-goers. The Bible says this, the Bible says that, blah blah blah. There comes a point in everyone's life where it is crucial for independent thought to take place. For these people, that time has come and gone. These two seemingly unrelated issues have one common tie -- they involve people making personal choices that affect only themselves. There are so many more important things to focus on in the world than these issues. Instead of pointing fingers and criticizing others for their lifestyle choices, look inside yourself. What can you do to make your own life better? I doubt anyone has achieved a greater quality of life by condemning others. Get over it and move on. Source: Iowa State Daily (IA Edu)Author: Jared Strong Published: June 27, 2003Copyright: 2003 Iowa State DailyContact: letters iowastatedaily.comWebsite: http://www.iowastatedaily.com/Related Articles:Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em? http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16705.shtmlMarijuana Native To Iowa http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16699.shtmlPot Growers No Worse Than Martini Drinkers http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread16670.shtml
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Comment #5 posted by Lehder on June 29, 2003 at 06:04:00 PT
too old, too scared, too ignorant...
>>With
   studies placing it among the ranks of caffeine with respect to many of its harmful
   properties, marijuana is far safer to use than alcohol and tobacco. Nevertheless, the old
   farts on Capital Hill are too scared or too ignorant to approve of its use in moderation. ...or too drunk?"Number of members of Congress who escaped tickets and/or arrest from a variety of
driving offenses ranging from speeding to DUI in 1999 due to Congressional immunity: 217Number of members of Congress who were released after being pulled over for drunken
driving in 1998 by claiming Congressional immunity: 84"http://www.wwco.com/~dda/criminals.phpThey tell us that smoking marijuana is a moral issue.
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Comment #4 posted by Lehder on June 29, 2003 at 05:38:51 PT
tough choices
Americans face some difficult choices. Either you're gay or you're homophobic. Either you're a drug warrior or you're addicted to drugs. You're pro-life or else a baby killer. Either you're for the war or you're a terrorist. "You're either with us or you're against us."How pleasant life must be in Canada where it's enough to be...Canadian. My advice: go and don't look back. That's an easy choice. And smoke 'em if you got 'em.Maybe you didn't hear me. GO: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/
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Comment #3 posted by byrd on June 28, 2003 at 16:32:05 PT
I'm Wondering
The Canadian Supreme Court cited social tolerance as one of the reasons for striking down the gay marriage ban. I'm wondering if they're sending a hint on the cannabis possession laws as well. If that's the case, "decriminalization" wouldn't be the right word. I wonder if GW will do if THAT happens?
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Comment #2 posted by afterburner on June 28, 2003 at 15:21:53 PT:
Another Rare Time that John P. Walters Agrees.
Instead of pointing fingers and criticizing others for their lifestyle choices, look inside yourself. What can you do to make your own life better? I doubt anyone has achieved a greater quality of life by condemning others. "It's not constructive for us to point fingers," [John P. Walters, the White House drug policy chief] said [in White House To Study Cities' Drug Programs http://www.cannabisnews.com/news/thread16717.shtml ]. ego transcendence and ego destruction, it's your choice.
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Comment #1 posted by FoM on June 28, 2003 at 14:57:53 PT
Just a Comment
I like this article. 
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