POT PROTESTERS OPPOSE PROHIBITION

Supporters of marijuana use saw any possibility of a peace offering
from Nanaimo-Alberni Conservative MP James Lunney go up in smoke Monday.

About a dozen people rallied outside Lunney's office against Bill
C-26, an act that would toughen sentences for drug producers and dealers.

The rally, part of a 10-province, 100-riding protest organized
nationally by Jacob Hunter, called for an end to the bill and
marijuana prohibition.

"Scientists and experts from around the world have studied cannabis,
they have studied prohibition and they have studied legalization,"
said Hunter.

"They have concluded that cannabis is less dangerous than prohibition
and that prohibition funds crime and that legalization would increase
tax revenues."

Nanaimo's Mik Mann led the brief rally, although Lunney's office was
closed.

"I would like a chance to sit down with Dr. Lunney and try to change
his mind," said Mann. "What this government is effectively doing is
putting a billion dollars in the hands of criminals through
prohibition and putting marijuana in the hands of children.

"This argument has been going on for 70 years and clearly the
prohibition method doesn't work."

Lunney says the Conservative message is clear and won't
change.

"If you are an addict we will help you," said Lunney in a press
release. "But if you produce or sell drugs that exploit addicts you
will pay the price."

Lunney said Bill C-26 goes hand-in-hand with the government's new $64
million National Drug Strategy, where two-thirds of funding is
targeted toward treatment and prevention.

"Drug producers and dealers who threaten the safety of our communities
must face tougher penalties. We are going to toughen up on crime but
continue to be passionate toward victims."

Marc Emery, an outspoken marijuana activist, said he believes
Canadians "don't want to lock non-violent marijuana users and
gardeners in jail."

He said every problem caused by marijuana is the result of
prohibition.

This year, Nanaimo RCMP have shut down 24 illegal grow operations,
many of them involving weapon possession by grow-op owners, as well as
illegal activity.

By regulating and licensing them, Mann says marijuana operations could
be made legitimate and safe.

"Marijuana is a plant like a cactus or an orchid that people grow,"
said Mann. "It's not dangerous, it's prohibition that is dangerous.
Like alcohol or tobacco, if it was regulated we wouldn't have these
problems."

Lunney said substance abuse creates problems with health, social and
public safety and economic consequences, adding that it also fuels
organized crime and fosters petty crime.

The Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse estimates that since 1992,
Canadians have spent $9 billion annually on costs related to substance
abuse including health care, law enforcement, prosecution and
incarceration.