LEGALIZE MARIJUANA: WALSH

CORNWALL -- Considering the federal parties they represent, it's no
surprise that Green's Wyatt Walsh had a lot to say about recently
stricken medicinal marijuana laws, but Conservative Guy Lauzon did
not.

NDP torchbearer Mario Leclerc was somewhere in-between, while Liberal
Bernadette Clement viewed it in a related context.

"We should be legalizing (marijuana), getting a control of it (as a
commodity)," said Walsh, responding to an Ontario Superior Court
ruling which squashed pot laws earlier this week.

Justice Donald Taliano sided with a complaint against the Mari juana
Medical Access Regulations, citing its ineffectiveness to allow
marijuana for patients who are unable to get physician
authorization.

Walsh's reaction is partly based on the simplicity of the issue in the
eyes of the Green Party, which includes the legalization of marijuana.

The other three parties do not hold that position, although NDP leader
Jack Layton did endorse legalization at one time.

Lauzon's first reaction was that medical regulations "need to be
adjusted."

Later, he said he would prefer to reserve his judgement until federal
justice and health ministries analyzed the judge's ruling.

"I'm not a lawyer, so I can not comment on it."

Walsh didn't give any slack to Lauzon over the issue, citing the
bundle of informat ion he said he gave to the incumbent MP last fall.

"I asked (Lauzon) do you believe in the constitution or law and order,
and he said I believe in law and order."

Lauzon wouldn't take the bait, saying the meeting with Walsh was a
confidential matter when Walsh was a constituent, not a rival candidate.

Walsh said the ruling is another example of why marijuana should be
made more available, and that legalization is the best way of
achieving that goal. He said he knows many people who could use mari
juana for pain relief instead of the extremely addictive depressant,
oxycontin.

Clement and Leclerc agreed with that a thorough review of medicinal
use is needed so that more patients are not left without options.

Leclerc hopes that new rules could open up more access for those in
medical need, but wouldn't allow "free access for everyone."

Clement branched out from the other candidates, stressing a closer
examination of all pain relief options.

"I can say as a lawyer (at the legal clinic) I've dealt with clients
with this issue, and most of the people have found other ways dealing
with chronic pain."

However, she said chronic pain management is limited in Cornwall,
forcing sufferers to get treatment in Ottawa.

Clement prefers the new government would ask for a longer appeal
period than the current 90 days provided by the judge.

Establishing "clear" regulations regarding medical pot is still
needed.

She would like to see future discussions of legalized pot
continue.

For example, she noted the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs has
recommended the decriminalization of small amounts of marijuana.