PREMIER TAKES STAND ON MARIJUANA ISSUE

Like Santa Claus, Premier John Hamm left a couple of items under the Nova
Scotia media tree on Christmas Eve. One was his announcement that
his spinal-fusion surgery was successful. This was his second back
operation in 2002, and hopefully, the medical procedures he has
undergone will give him a measure of relief from his condition. We wish
him well in his recovery.

The premiers second offering was his opinion on the medical use of
marijuana. Mr. Hamm, who was a family doctor before he was elected to
Province House, spoke more as a physician than a politician as he came out
in favour of prescribed pot.

Unlike those who believe more clinical trials are necessary to confirm
marijuanas value in the amelioration of chronic pain and other
physical problems, the premier stated that it is apparent now that it
(marijuana) has medical benefits, and therefore, it should be handled the
way we handle any other medication that comes on the market.

However, Mr. Hamm drew a careful distinction between medical and
street use of cannabis. He emphasized that he does not advocate the
legalization of marijuana. But he does favour decriminalizing the
possession of small amounts of the substance. That position puts him
on the same page as federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who has
stated his intent to table decriminalization legislation during the
coming year.

Political reality was the reason both Mr. Hamm and Mr. Cauchon stopped
short of endorsing a Senate committees report that recommended full
legalization of pot. Unlike premiers and MPs, Senators do not have to
worry about getting re-elected. Macleans year-end poll suggests that
almost half the public favours decriminalization not quite a majority.
Legalization is still too long a leap for most Canadians.

That caution is understandable. As Mr. Hamm put it, some prescription
drugs, such as morphine and dilaudid, are effective in a controlled
medical setting, but can be catastrophic in a non-medical environment.
The continuing hesitation to free marijuana from legal sanctions is
based on the suspicion that pot, like morphine, has qualities that are
dangerous as well as beneficial the old reefer madness scare that
dates back to the early years of the last century.

Until that fear abates, Premier Hamms approach to marijuana is
probably the most practical and even-handed take on the matter.