MARIJUANA LOBBYISTS LIGHT UP ON PARLIAMENT HILL

VANCOUVER - Thousands of Canadians, some smoking pot, took part in what
supporters called the "Million Marijuana March" Saturday.

In at least 18 communities across the country, people rallied to
decriminalize cannabis. Carrying banners with slogans like "Overgrow the
Government," they sang songs and gave speeches demanding an end to the
prohibition against pot.

Similar demonstrations were held in more than 150 cities around the world -
a tradition on the first Saturday in May for the past few years.

"The Canadian public is coming on side. Sooner or later, the politicians
will have to follow," predicted Eugene Oscapella of the Canadian Foundation
for Drug Policy.

"What we need is legal, controlled, regulated access to marijuana for
adults," he told a rally on Parliament Hill. "We need honest education
about cannabis."

But critics are worried that letting adults smoke marijuana will increase
society's existing problems caused by drug abuse and addiction.

"Our nation is at risk ... our children and our families and our businesses
and our way of life virtually are at risk because of the predominant use of
drugs in our society," said Linda Bentall of the International Drug
Education and Awareness Society.

On Thursday, a Senate committee released a discussion paper on changes to
marijuana laws. It suggested there may be good reasons to decriminalize the
drug. The committee plans to hold public hearings over the next two months
before issuing a final report at the end of the summer.