JUDGE SLAMS U.S. DRUG WAR

The United States' war on drugs is based around hypocrisy, ignorance
and greed, says a Californian judge who was in Vancouver yesterday at
the Canadian Bar Association's annual legal conference.

"We couldn't do it worse if we tried," said Superior Court Judge James
Gray, a vocal critic of his country's policy on combating drugs.

Gray noted that Americans understand that the war on drugs is not
working; and that it is time to start focusing on what works --
education, treatment and prevention, and individual
responsibility.

California taxpayers spend $1 billion US each year trying to eradicate
marijuana, which, despite their efforts, Gray said, remains the
largest cash crop in the state. Grapes are a distant second. If the
marijuana sales were taxed, they would generate approximately $1.5
billion US for the public purse. The move would also make marijuana
less available to children for much the same reason that it is easier
for them to get marijuana than alcohol: "because drug dealers don't
ask for ID."

In every war there are winners and losers, he said. And the war on
drugs is no exception. Winners include drug dealers and the
organizations that combat them; politicians who get elected by talking
tough, but not necessarily smart; the private sector, which makes
money selling everything from burglar alarms to newspapers; and terrorists.

Gray applauded Mayor Larry Campbell and Vancouver Police Chief Const.
Jamie Graham for their progressive approach to drugs.

He said Canadians should disregard the U.S. government, which uses the
Single Convention Strategy as a lynchpin to "try and force our will
and our failed ways on other countries."

The Government of Canada, he said, should address the needs and the
people of Canada.