QUEBEC STRONGEST IN FAVOUR OF LEGAL POT

MONTREAL -- A new poll shows Canadians evenly split on the legalization of
marijuana, with the strongest support for the notion in Quebec and B.C.

Almost half of British Columbians polled by Leger Marketing admitted
smoking pot at least once, and more than half favoured legalizing it.

Nationwide, 46.8 per cent of pollees backed legalizing the sale and use of
marijuana, 47 per cent were opposed and 6.2 per cent didn't know or
wouldn't answer.

Regional breakdowns in favour of legalization were as follows: Quebec, 52.7
per cent; B.C., 52.4; Ontario, 45.9; the Maritimes, 44.7; Manitoba and
Saskatchewan, 37.4; and Alberta, 36.9.

Nationally, 38.7 per cent of respondents admitted to using marijuana at
least once. In B.C. the figure was 49 per cent, in Ontario 35.8 per cent.

"What this poll suggests is that the government doesn't necessarily have a
blank cheque," Jean-Marc Leger, president of the Montreal firm, said in an
interview.

"It might be acceptable to the population but it will also take a certain
dose of courage by politicians if they want to legalize it because it's not
accepted by everyone in the same way."

Leger surveyed 1,507 Canadians between June 5 and 13. National results are
considered accurate within plus or minus 2.6 percentage points 19 times out
of 20. Regional breakdowns have higher margins of error.

The questions did not distinguish between medicinal and recreational use of
pot. Leger noted previous polls have shown strong support for the use of
medicinal marijuana.

The Canadian Medical Association, the RCMP and the Canadian Association of
Chiefs of Police all support decriminalizing the possession of marijuana.
The Canadian Police Association, however, remains opposed.

Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana party, said yesterday the Leger
poll results are consistent with others that show a growing discontent with
marijuana prohibition.

"I think the public realizes that [prohibition] for 30 years hasn't
accomplished a single thing the government wants," said Emery, who makes an
estimated $1 million a year selling marijuana seeds over the Internet. "It
hasn't reduced the supply or demand."