WITH THE recent hubbub surrounding Justice Minister Anne McLellan's
marijuana fears, perhaps it's a sign that we need another Royal
Commission to look at the issue. In 1972, the LeDain Commission
recommended the decriminalization of marijuana after four years of
research. Over 25 years later, pot is hot once again and the public
wants a debate.

A recent Angus Reid poll found that 51% of Canadians want the full
legalization of marijuana. Similarly, a 1994 Health Canada survey
revealed 69.1% support for either legalization or decriminalization.
And, of course, the Rebagliati incident triggered a stream of
editorials and articles across the country. Over 600,000 Canadians
have been burdened with criminal records for cannabis possession since
the 1960s.

This is a tremendous injustice, something that the minister of justice
and the rest of Parliament needs to address. It's "high" time for a
national debate.

Chris Clay, Sechlet, B.C.

(Legalization is unlikely, but sympathy for the issue is
unquestionably growing.)