THE WHOLE OMELET

You probably don't have to smoke dope to understand our nation's drug
policies, but it might help. As of late, our narco-stormtroopers, the Drug
Enforcement Agency, raided a legal medical marijuana health co-op in Santa
Cruz, arresting its two directors, once again finding it easier to kick AIDS
and cancer patients than honest-go-goodness criminals. The list of those the
federal government has targeted for arrest, persecution, intimidation and
property seizure for what is legal medical marijuana operations under state
law continues to grow, and government officials for the most part, go along
in silence, allowing the rights of the citizens of California to be
trampled.

In addition to stomping on those with chronic pain or terminal conditions,
we as Americans can be proud that more than 30,000 college-bound students
have been denied federal loans and grants for their education this school
year due to the 1998 Higher Education Act's drug provision that bans federal
aid for anyone convicted of any drug charges. So far, the total of young
people denied aid is nearing 90,000, according to Department of Education
statistics.

If that isn't something to be proud of, then one can take heart in the fact
that Bush's children - Jeb's or W's will not be needing federal financial
aid.

On top of what constitutes monumental stupidity in our drug policy, the
Canadian Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs has come our with a
report, "Cannabis: Our position for a public policy," that is rational,
non-partisan or dogmatic in its look at marijuana use. While our politicians
are likely to spew moralistic rhetoric at you when asked about drug policy,
it is refreshing to see that their counterparts to the north (where hundreds
of Americans involved with medical marijuana seek political asylum) speak
freely and frankly about drug use.

""We were told that drugs were made criminal because they are dangerous,"
the report states. "Analysis of debates in Parliament and in media accounts
clearly shows how far this is from truth... Early drug legislation was
largely based on a moral panic, racist sentiment and a notorious absence of
debate.

"In our view, it is clear that if the aim of public policy is to diminish
consumption and supply of drugs, specifically cannabis, all signs indicate
complete failure... It is time to recognize what is patently obvious: our
policies have been ineffective, because they are poor policies.

"Cannabis itself is not a cause of other drug use. In this sense, we reject
the gateway theory... Cannabis itself is not a cause of delinquency and
crime; and Cannabis is not a cause of violence... Physical dependency on
cannabis is virtually non-existent. Psychological dependency is moderate and
is certainly lower than for nicotine or alcohol.

"There are clear, though non-definitive indications of the therapeutic
benefits of marijuana (in certain conditions). Measures should be taken to
support and encourage the development of alternative practices, such as the
establishment of compassion clubs [medical marijuana buyer's clubs].

"The international drug control conventions are, at least with respect to
cannabis, an utterly irrational restraint that has nothing to do with
scientific or public health considerations," the Senate report continued.
The report concluded that among other recommendations, "respect for
individual and collective freedoms, and legislation more in tune with the
behaviour of Canadians," is called for.

Can anyone imagine the U.S. Senate uttering such words? And meaning it?