editorial comment Even the Koreans do it!

Describing marijuana as a narcotic or not is emerging as a hot issue in South Korea, with a number of celebrities and experts claiming the law banning smoking marijuana is unconstitutional.

The Drug-Related Criminology Institute on Friday held a debate at the Press Center in Seoul about ways to control marijuana for policy recommendations.

Lawyer Kim Sung-jin claimed the side effects of marijuana are far fewer than that of other narcotics such as nicotine and heroin, citing a report of the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse.

``An individual has the right to control his body as long as he does not damage society's ethics. Banning the smoking of marijuana, which is less harmful than other narcotics, is in violation of the constitutional right to pursue happiness,'' Kim said.

He also claimed smoking marijuana is a preference, so punishing those smoking marijuana and not those having a cigarette or alcohol is against the principle of equality.

Jeon Kyoung-soo, president of the institute, also said marijuana is different from other narcotics, including cigarettes, in terms of mental and physical damage.

``The government should place marijuana in a separate category from other narcotics by establishing a new law governing hallucinogenic drugs in general, so smoking marijuana can be subject to punishment under the new law,'' Jeon said.

He added that studies show smoking marijuana does not result in anti-society actions while addiction to other drugs and alcohol does.

Such claims support the recent movement by popular celebrities including actress Kim Pu-son, director Park Chan-wook and singer Cheon In-kwon, who called for the legalization of marijuana. Kim filed a petition with a court in October questioning the constitutionality of banning marijuana.

However, others pointed out marijuana still contains harmful ingredients and causes hallucinations, even though it is less harmful than other drugs.

``In small doses, users experience changed senses and in large doses, they suffer from hallucinations and can't concentrate. Its abuse can also cause mental diseases such as anxiety disorder,'' professor of Uiduk University Choi Yong-min said.

Choi stressed marijuana is often called the ``gateway drug'' because marijuana is usually the first step toward using stronger drugs.

The Supreme Public Prosecutors' Office also said on Thursday that foreign countries such as France and Japan give criminal punishments to marijuana smokers as well.

``We'll take heavy punitive measures to those producing and distributing marijuana, while implementing a system of medical treatment for those detected of smoking it,'' the prosecution said in its written statement.

Regarding the legalization claim, the Korea Food and Drug Administration also said, ``Preventing damages on public health takes precedence over the right to pursue happiness,'' adding 80 percent of drug users are marijuana smokers.



rahnita

back | to top | full article >>