CLARK: DECRIMINALIZE MARIJUANA

Tory Leader Denounces 'Burden Of Conviction': 'There Are Some Of My MPs Who
Don't Share That Position'

QUEBEC -- Federal Conservative Party leader Joe Clark called on the federal
government yesterday to decriminalize marijuana, saying it's not fair for a
young person to face a lifelong criminal record for possession of the drug.

"Personally, I make a distinction between legalization and
decriminalization," Mr. Clark told reporters. "What interests me is
decriminalization because I don't want to have a young person carry forever
the burden of a conviction for a criminal offence."

A criminal record can block a young person from pursuing some careers, he
said. But Mr. Clark was careful to point out that his position is a
personal one not shared by everyone in his party.

"That is my position. There are some of my MPs who don't share that
position and we can discuss it during the meetings of the federal committee."

Mr. Clark joins the growing chorus of voices calling for the
decriminalization of marijuana.

Last week, the House of Commons unanimously backed a motion to establish a
special committee to study illegal drugs.

A survey completed late last year also showed that about half of Liberal
and Alliance party supporters back legalization compared with about three
in 10 Conservative supporters. The Bloc Quebecois and the NDP favour
legalization of marijuana in their party platforms.

University of Lethbridge sociologist Reginald Bibby, who conducted the
survey, said a growing number of Canadians view marijuana as less harmful
than cigarettes and definitely less harmful than alcohol.

About 37 per cent of teens use it, twice the level reported by teens in the
early 1980s and '90s, said Mr. Bibby.

Last week, The Canadian Medical Association Journal also urged
decriminalization.

"The decriminalization of marijuana possession for personal use does not
mean making marijuana legal or letting it be sold in every schoolyard,"
said the journal. "It does mean possession of small amounts for personal
use would become a civil offence, like a traffic violation, not a criminal
one."

The Citizen was recently lauded for its 16-part series "Losing the War on
Drugs." Dan Gardner won the Edward M. Brecher Award from the U.S.-based
Lindesmith Centre-Drug Policy Foundation for an investigation into the
relationship between drugs and organized crime, overdose deaths, addiction,
smuggling and civil liberties.