We’re taking big gamble with pot

I voted for John Vassilaki four years ago and am doing the same again. Les H. Heaven Penticton Dear editor: Canada is launching a nationwide experiment, taking a “leap of faith,” and at the same time a horrific gamble that unleashing marijuana will not cause long-term medical disasters.

We know the short-term problems, and the police are gearing up to cope with those. But what about long term effects on the brain, the psyche, the lungs, etc.? Are there any dangerous interactions for people on established medical treatments?

Now that marijuana is legal, large doubleblind rigorous scientific studies will expose most of the hidden dangers of pot, and we can understand the many different chemicals in marijuana, especially which ones to use, how best to use them, and which ones to avoid like the plague.

My own hope is that new drugs will be discovered that will be non-addictive and replace the opioids in treating chronic pain; drugs that will be more effective in treating resistant forms of epilepsy, etc. Brad Houston

Penticton off to exotic holidays and international conferences. Trains will restore the glamour of yesteryear’s travel with parlor cars and miles of boring carbon sinks being major diversions on weeklong journeys to Ottawa.

Too bad about remote northern communities, but they do keep harping about resuming traditional lifestyles.

Ten-day ship voyages to Europe will replace airliners. Steerage class fares are $35,000, mostly carbon tax.

One vehicle with a 65-horsepower limitation is permitted per household. Recreational carbon emitters, including RVs, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles and those irritating seadoos are done. Government permits are required for all trips over 100 kilometres. Sacrifices must be made.

Highway speeds are now 60 km/h. We’ll save lives as a bonus. Trucking is out and railroads are back. Like the dinosaurs, semis are victims of climate change. The CPR will flourish and the KVR can be resurrected. No price is too high.

Carbon police will verify that building temperatures are held to 12 C and air conditioning is removed. People can live comfortably by wearing sweaters, adding blankets and opening the windows in the summer; just like early times. Fireplaces, wood stoves and campfires are banned. Carbonstopper tip lines will reward anonymous whistle blowers. Think of the children.

Wind and solar farms and electric cars rule with generous government subsidies for the righteous.

Climate justice will be swift and certain with offenders given harsh penalties by carbon tribunals with unlimited powers of search and seizure. Charter protections are suspended.

Personally, I welcome a return to a more basic, Amish-like lifestyle. My first paying job was driving a horse drawn milk wagon, so I feel reasonably well prepared for the future. John Thompson Kaleden

Letters to the editor must be 400 words or less. Email: letters@pentictonherald.ca Mail: 101-186 Nanaimo Ave. W., Penticton, B.C., V2A-1N4.