DRUG ACTIVIST ARRIVES IN CITY

Self described rights activist Neil Magnuson is trekking across Canada
on a pair of in-line skates to warn people about what he says are the
detrimental effects of drug prohibition.

And while he's mainly focused on marijuana, Vancouver based-Magnuson
says he's talking about all illegal drugs.

According to the 51 year old, Drug prohibition increases demand for
the product, and makes it seem more glamorous and alluring to danger
seeking young people. " it also creates and fuels organized crime
groups that put us all at risk" he said. "The prohibition just doesn't
work-it never has worked and it can't work"

It's the third year Magnuson has embarked on his annual Freedomtour,
which started in British Columbia in June and will end in Ottawa on
November 11 for the Remembrance day cerimonies. The main goal he said,
is not just speaking out against the ban on drugs-it is also to
highlight the bigger issue of freedoms role in a just society.

"Freedom is the right to do (or not do) whatever you want to do (or
don't want to do), without any government interference, coercion or
prohibition unless you unreasonably interfere with someone else", he
explained.

"(When I first became involved with some pot activists in Vancouver) I
realized it wasn't about cannabis at all-it was about our right to
choose whatever we want."

Though he is quick to point out he is not an advocate of hard drug
use, Magnuson says by keeping substances illegal, the economy is
loosing billions of dollars to organized crime groups and the federal
government is missing out on substantial revenue potential from taxation.

As well, he said, there's a human cost to drug prohibition. We've got
almost 2 million people in Canada that have criminal records for
simple possession of cannabis and they're trying to live their lives
with that stigma attached to them," he said.

Magnuson is also a firm believer in the benefits of hemp production,
which he says is a 10 times more efficient fuel source than corn that
can be used to make products including paper, rope, textiles and
building materials. "It's natures greatest gift," he said.

Magnuson is holding an information session Monday from 7 to 10 pm at
Lakehead University. For more information go to http://www.freedomtour.ca.