PUBLIC CONVINCED GOV'T WILL LEGALIZE MARIJUANA: POLL

Half of all Canadians are convinced the federal government is legalizing
marijuana, according to Abbotsford MP Randy White.

According to a poll, carried out by SES Canada Research Inc., one out of
two Canadians believe a government plan to issue fines instead of criminal
charges for minor possession makes the drug entirely legal.

The poll, commissioned by White, also reveals that 78 per cent of Canadians
think the minimum age for marijuana possession should be 18. Five per cent
said 16, while 17 per cent failed to give any age.

"Clearly the Liberal government has a pretty significant PR problem on
their hands," White said.

"If the government proceeds to decriminalize marijuana through Bill C-17
when half the population perceives it as legalization, it would be a pretty
irresponsible move."

White is calling for a "nationwide awareness campaign" before Bill C-17 is
made law.

He is also calling for all minors to be excluded from the legislation.
According to White, the proposals as they stand would incorporate anyone
aged 12 or more.

"Not only are we allowing 12-year-olds to take part in this national
experiment called decriminalization, but we're doing it in an atmosphere
where half the population sees it as a green light to possess marijuana,"
White said.

"What message is this government trying to send?"

The telephone survey, carried out between Jan. 28 and Feb. 2, questioned
1,000 Canadian voters across the country.

SES says the results are accurate to plus or minus 3.1 percentage points,
19 times out of 20.