THE NEWS FROM THE ETHNIC PRESS SING TAO

Local Chinese groups claim that if the Ontario Supreme Court succeeds
in challenging the federal government's ban on marijuana, it will
worsen the drug abuse problem and make citizens less respectful of the
law.

K-John Cheung, convenor of the Canadian Alliance for Social Justice and
Family Values Association, is strongly against the court's action and
says Federal Health Minister Allan Rock has already set a bad precedent
by exempting 80 people who may now use marijuana for medical purposes.
Mr. Cheung believes that if marijuana is legalized, it will pave the
way for the legalization of cocaine and other hard or soft drugs and
will further aggravate the problems of prostitution, gambling and drug
abuse.

Charles Lee, vice-chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants'
Association, is also worried a change in law will lead to massive
abuse of marijuana and will stimulate drug use.

He believes the government should raise the penalties for those who
grow marijuana and for drug traffickers but that inspection fees and
additional charges for reconnecting electricity and water supplies to
houses that have been used to grow marijuana is unfair to landlords.