'COMMUNIST' POT LAW GOES WAY TOO FAR, HOTLINERS SAY

In its attempt to make Nova Scotia a bit safer, the provincial government
may make it far less free, say respondents to The Daily News Hotline.
Twenty-four of the 28 callers and e-mailers said a new law that would give
police the right to hand out a 24-hour suspension to any driver they
believe is stoned goes way too far.

The Hotline asked callers if they support the proposed law.

A male caller said passing the law would mean big changes for the province.

"That's it. Nova Scotia has finally become a communist country," he said.

Old union man Donald Waye felt the law would make the province a "police
state."

"Until a person has their day in court and is found guilty, the police
should not have that power," he said.

Sarah Robinson in Prospect said the law can hardly be applied fairly, given
that plenty of legal drugs can create the wrong impression.

"I do take prescription drugs and, sometimes, I look stoned," she said.

The bloodshot eyes and lethargy usually associated with dope can just as
easily happen after spending too much time in the pool, said Laura Legere
in Dartmouth, while fellow City of Lakeser Dan Walton said if the province
really wanted to make Nova Scotia roads safer, it could fix the pavement.

Powers Too Broad

Police powers are already too broad, said Kevin Crocker of Halifax.

"By what means are they going to judge whether a person is high?" he asked.

Stephen Tanner of Dartmouth agreed, saying "until (police) come up with a
stonalizer, this is not a law that should be passed."

Joey Archibald in Windsor said until there is an accurate test, this law
should die.

"To leave it up to the police to fine people who they believe is stoned
leaves much to be desired," he said.

E-mailer Jane Rozee said she see no problem with police being able to
suspend a driver for 24 hours.

"I work in insurance, and I see no distinction between the criminal code
for impaired driving and stoned," she said.

John D. Trites of Halifax said police already have the power to remove a
driver from a car who is not over the legal limit.

"Since there has been no court challenge of the law, I suspect a new law
would probably also stand up in the interest of public safety," he said.

The Daily News Hotline allows readers to speak out on current issues. It
does not purport to be a scientific sample of public opinion. Questions
appear Wednesday and Sunday. Results appear Saturday and Wednesday.