THIS DAY IN HISTORY

February 13, 1998: Rebagliati Ordeal Revives Pot Debate

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It would appear an outpouring of support by Canadians for embattled
Olympic snowboarder Ross Rebagliati has been a mind-expanding
experience for parliamentarians.

Several federal politicians sniffed the wind Thursday and said they
would welcome a Commons debate on the subject of decriminalizing
marijuana use in the wake of Rebagliati's positive test for pot at
the Winter Games.

The Whistler resident had his gold medal reinstated Thursday by the
International Olympic Committee to widespread applause in Canada.
Keith Martin, MP for Malahat-Juan de Fuca, has long supported the
decriminationalization of marijuana "which is very different from
legalization of marijuana."

Martin said from Ottawa that he expects Rebagliati will come home to
Canada "revelling in his gold medal and not his exploits with the
demon weed. NDP Leader Alexa McDonough said Rebagliati's friendly
association with pot smokers has highlighted the difference between
marijuana use and hard drugs.

In Victoria, marijuana proponent Ian Hunter called Rebagliati's
ordeal "quite the victory for the sides of liberty and freedom. It's
really highlighting the stupidity and injustice of the drug war." The
owner of the Sacred Herb, which has sold marijuana seeds, added:
"What it's done is once again put pot decriminalization on the front
burner of public discussion."