THEMARIJUANADfBATE By Beth Kelleher Among the greatest social issues of our century, drug use has once again been called Lt> the forefront of political debate as the criminali:t.alion ol' Marijuana has once again been called LU 4ues1ion. Originally banned soon after the wrn of the twentieth century, the justifications for maint.iining its prohibition arc being seriously debated by political, social, cultural, and mcdk:al groups across the country.
This spring, Members of Parliament will be called on the vote on a bill to decriminali7.e marijuana use. Decriminalization is different than legalization, those many hope the fast is only n stepping stone. Legalization would make marijuana a fully legal substance (i,ub. jcct to controls similar to those on tobacco and alcohol) both to consume and cultivate·. , '
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