POT LAW SPLITS READERS

Don't expect hordes of people getting the munchies now that Ottawa wants to
decriminalize possession of pot, Hotliners predict.

Sixteen of the 29 callers and e-mailers who responded to The Daily News
Hotline said people who want to smoke pot already do. A law introduced this
week won't encourage more marijuana use, they said.

"I smoke whatever amount I feel like, and I never have a fear of prison,
only a fear of adding a few extra munchie pounds," one e-mailer wrote.

Under the new law, having enough marijuana to roll between 15 and 20 joints
would get you a fine of up to $400, rather than possible jail time and a
criminal record. We asked if more people would smoke pot once there's no
threat of jail hanging over their heads.

"Those who were not into pot before might try it, but a year later, the
number of smokers will most likely remain much the same," said e-mailer
Denis Lebel.

But 18 of our Hotliners were vehemently opposed to Ottawa's move.

"What kind of example is this for my 12-year-old daughter?" one caller
said, while a male caller said the new law is telling people "to go out and
use drugs."

Others said the federal government should treat pot just like alcohol.

"This is all smoke and mirrors," one caller said of the new law. "It's an
economic reason, and it makes a lot of sense."