OBSERVER ITEM LACKED RESEARCH

In "No way to DEA" (Observer, Sept. 13-19 issue), Mary Frances Hill adds
her own little comment to the paragraph below to show, I presume, either
disapproval or that she's just not willing to actually do research (as part
of her job) to see if the statement is credible:

"The Marijuana Party claims the DEA presence insults Canadian sovereignty,
because one half of Canadians now support complete legalization of
marijuana ( highly doubtful)."

I suggest that (Ms.) Hill take advantage of this new thing called the
internet and do a little research so she doesn't appear as a clueless as
she did with those two words.

It took me exactly 45 seconds to find the article below. I know there is
another recent poll from a Professor Reginald Bibby from Lethbridge on the
same subject with results which were about three-to-four-per-cent higher
but I presume that someone with journalistic credentials can find it just a
easily.

If not, I would suggest using the vast (free) database of articles at the
www.mapinc.org website for future research on drug reform policy.

Just for her info, more or less three-quarters of Canadians support
decriminalization and over 90 per cent support medical marijuana but I'm
sure (Ms.) Hill would probably find this doubtful as well.

Apart from my remark, it was otherwise a fine article with sound reasoning.

Lyle Howard Seave

Drug Reform Policy author/activist

5ieme Rang

Saint-Felicien, Que.