Pubdate: Mon, 04 Jun 2001 Source: Kimberley Daily Bulletin (CN BC) 335 Spokane Street, Kimberley, B.C., V1A 1Y9 Fax: (250) 427-5336 Website: http://www.dailytownsman.com/bulletin/index.html Contact: Article: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v01/n985/a02.html Authors: Harry D. Fisher & Danny Terwey RESPONSE TO WARNER Few people will disagree with Gerry Warner when he writes that smoking pot is not good for young people during school hours. The fast-packed and fast-paced classroom experience does not lend itself to the contemplative state that is the effect of pot. The whole point of marijuana, and other psychoactive drugs such as mescaline and LSD, is the subjective experience of an altered consciousness. We may hear or see the same things, but the interpretation changes; we are able to see things with different eyes, as it were. This is not intellectual and sensual impoverishment, but enhancement. However, consciousness alteration is not for all situations. Whenever intensive, concentrated and goal-directed efforts are required, the conventional consciousness is best equipped for the task. But those types of activities do not constitute the totality of our lives, there are many other, non-striving interests that can be greatly enhanced by marijuana. Hallucinogenic drugs like LSD and mescaline can cause mental states where time becomes irrelevant. Therefore, in order to use these drugs, one must plan ahead for the proper time, in a way scheduling the different consciousnesses. Most people who use drugs are able to integrate these consciousnesses into their everyday lives without any damagae. (The greater potential damage is the legal status, obviously.) Unfortunately, drug war journalism has evoked an image of drug users as pure Skid Row, with broken families, prostitution, shooting galleries littered with needles, and derelicts who eventually will be rolling in the gutter with vomit on their pants. When seen that way, who would not rush to the rescue one of these unfortunates and remove the cause of their suffering? But that's only one segment, a very small one, of the spectrum of drug use. Just like most people can drink beer and wine and, on occasion, hard liquor without "ruining their lives", most users of consciousness-altering drugs are "responsible." A little more nuanced reportage wouldn't hurt. Harry D. Fisher Woodland Hills, CA Gerry Warner's comments on the marijuana prohibition were sound, for the most part. I agree with the need to discourage recreational drug use. However, I vehemently oppose militant methods of coercion. It seems that Warner is willing to accept that status quo, even while describing the hyprocrisy of the situation. In reference to alcohol, the author wrote "How did such a dangerous drug ever become legalized?" Critical readers know that virtually everything starts out being legal. The attempt to crimianlize liquor led to civil war. In retrospect, it was our first drug war. Warner believes that "Pot may well be decriminalized some day, but that's several years down the line yet." Why is that? Why shouldn't marijuana be decriminalized this year, if it is just? Danny Terwey Santa Cruz CA - --- MAP posted-by: Beth