B.C. THE MARIJUANA CAPITAL OF CANADA, STUDY FINDS

People in B.C. smoke more marijuana than people in any other province
in Canada, according to a study released Wednesday.

"There is more occasional and low-risk cannabis use, more tolerant
attitudes, and greater availability in B.C. than in the rest of
Canada," says the study for Addictions Research of B.C., which is
based at the University of Victoria,

"In B.C. cannabis, like alcohol, is now regarded as a 'normal'
recreational drug."

In fact, daily use among young people in B.C. is outstripping
tobacco, and the majority there want it decriminalized, says the study.

Estimates that put the value of the cannabis industry in B.C. at as
much as $3.64 billion per year.

The study, which is based on a 2004 Canadian Addiction Survey, said
more British Columbians report having used cannabis (53 per cent),
than other Canadians (44 per cent).

British Columbians also report it is easy to find -- 65 per cent,
versus only 44 per cent in Canada.