SENATORS HERE TO TALK ABOUT POT

Vancouver's reputation as the nation's marijuana mecca has drawn a
top-level government committee to town, eager to talk to users, growers and
those seeking licences to use pot for medical reasons.

This afternoon, the five-person Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs
will hold a public hearing downtown after listening to a who's who of
groups involved with marijuana use. They include the Police Services Board,
B.C. Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, From Grief To Action, B.C.
Compassion Club Society, Alcohol Drug Education Service, Portland Hotel
Society, Vancouver Island Compassion Society, Vancouver Area Network of
Drug Users and the Harm Reduction Action Society

This evening, the senators will visit the Downtown Eastside to talk with
drug users and tour the raft of facilities available for drug users in the
area. Details are not being released to protect the identities of people
the committee will speak with.

David Newman, spokesman for the committee, said that while the group is
looking at hard-drug use, its focus is on marijuana and whether the drug
should be decriminalized or legalized.

"They are looking at all the issues that relate to marijuana. Public policy
and the cost of enforcement, medical use, does it lead to harder drugs?"
said Newman from Ottawa. "It's been a long time since I visited Vancouver,
but when I was last there, in the 1980s, marijuana was a big industry."

Little has changed. Growers in the Lower Mainland sell an estimated $3
billion a year worth of marijuana, mostly to buyers in the U.S. The
Vancouver Police Department's Grow Busters team closes down grow operations
almost daily, including one last week that contained 750 plants with an
estimated value of $1 million.

In its study of marijuana issues, Newman said the committee must take into
account the fact that the U.S. treats marijuana use seriously and has just
reopened a U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency in Vancouver

"The committee will have to look at our international obligations with
respect to marijuana and strategies other countries have regarding
marijuana use," said Newman, adding the committee is particularly
interested in the emerging group of licensed medical marijuana users in Canada.

In July, Health Canada opened the door to licenced pot use by sick people
who have a doctor's certificate stating they will benefit from the drug.
Health Canada will also issue licences for people designated to grow
marijuana on behalf of licenced users.

A local group, the Merlin Project, plans to establish a demonstration
grow-op downtown with plants cultivated under lights by seasoned growers
licensed to grow on behalf of sick users.

The committee-led by Quebec Tory Senator Pierre-Claude Nolin-will make a
series of recommendations regarding marijuana laws and use in Canada to
parliament next August.

Anyone interested in addressing the committee should go to the Delta
Pinnacle Hotel, 1128 West Hastings St., before 3 p.m. today to register.