Education program should accompany pot legalization
Re: Docs wary of pot plants, Aug. 25
The Liberals promised a lot of things as all parties do in an election. Why the rush to legalize marijuana, which was just one of the planks in their platform? If the doctors had their way, they would ban tobacco, but that isn’t about to happen any time soon.
Today, marijuana is widely used, and the majority of Canadians and the overwhelming majority of those under 30 support the legalization. Does that make it right? Maybe. But if we are going to legalize it, at least accompany that legalization with a public education program on the harmful side effects.
And if we do proceed with its legalization, restrict its sale to liquor stores, where the infrastructure is already in place to control its distribution, and help with that education process through simple signs and/or brochures. Bill Richardson, West Vancouver
The Canadian Medical Association had to be asked for their opinion on the legalization of the recreational use of marijuana. Their diagnosis comes much too late. Where have they been? Hiding in the weeds? The horse is out of the barn, the cat is out of the bag, and that ship has sailed. Pandora’s box has been opened. Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge
Sick seniors can’t wait
Re: Philpott to physicians: There are no promises, Aug. 24 Federal Health Minister Jane Phillpot said Tuesday a national Pharmacare program is years away. How can senior citizens with medical conditions possibly wait that long? Jerzy Rudowski, Langley
Taxes fund necessities
Re: Growing tax burden is costing Canadians, Aug. 24
The usual disingenuous nonsense from the Fraser Institute comes in its latest report on the tax burden on the average Canadian.
First, although they are reporting on the income of the average householder, they include the taxes paid by business (and presumably the employers’ portion of payroll taxes). If they want to include taxes on profits and other corporate taxes in their analysis, then they should correspondingly be including the income of those corporations.
Second, they are trying to demonstrate that the average householder pays more in taxes than they do on “necessities,” ignoring the fact that the major portion of our taxes goes to fund health and education — presumably not necessities, according to the Fraser Institute. Alan Morris, North Vancouver
There was no limo seen
Re: Federal cabinet ministers scrutinized for spending, Aug. 24
I get why Health Minister Jane Philpott was confused over her use of a limousine service. A limousine is one of those long, stretchy things, while a Lexus luxury sedan is a plain old car. Antonia Gauer, West Vancouver
RCMP blasted for hijabs
Re: Mounties allow hijabs for female officers, Aug. 25
The RCMP is allowing female officers to wear a hijab as part of their uniform, hoping to draw more Muslim recruits into the force.
Is nothing sacred anymore? I suppose a transgender candidate might be allowed to wear makeup and a dress if he/she wished to do so. Will the RCMP openly recruit gay and lesbians, and would the RCMP allow a very different type of dress code for those officers?
I thought we were in a defined conflict with Islam. Come on people, seriously. George Pearson, Surrey