POTHEADS PROLIFERATE

We're not exactly a bunch of potheads, but Canada seems to be heading
that way.

The Statistics Canada study showing marijuana use has nearly doubled
in the past 13 years should be a surprise to no one.

While we spend a great deal of effort to convince people not to smoke
because of its obvious health and social consequences, as a nation we
don't seem to have that same sense of urgency when it comes to marijuana.

Although it backed away from ownership of one of its own reports, the
Fraser Institute suggested not long ago that the drug be legalized
with the tax revenue amounting to a new bonanza for government.

The federal government has been sending out warm and fuzzy signals
that have encouraged Canadian Cheech and Chongs for the past few years.

It's OK to smoke pot for medicinal purposes, they say, even though
there's no proof of any related benefits.

With growing numbers of people ignoring the law that makes possession
and use of even small amounts illegal, the federal politicians are
racing to decriminalize those who have and use less than 15 grams at a
time.

The new generation of marijuana, especially B.C. bud, is said to be
far more potent that the stuff the so-called hippie generation smoked.
Young people notoriously live for the moment and aren't much
interested in what regular marijuana use might do to them over time.

And police have been like mice on treadmills trying to keep up with
the crooks growing and selling the drugs - and those they do catch
most often get a kiss from a judge and are soon released.

So, if our lawmakers don't take this so-called illegal drug seriously,
is it any wonder more than 12 per cent of Canadians don't either?