FOOLISH? YES. BUT NOT ILLEGAL

The number of potheads in Canada, 15 or older, has doubled in the last
13 years, according to Statistics Canada.

The drug isue was one question in a health care study undertaken in
2002 at the behest of health care professionals who wanted to get a
handle on the use of cannabis and other illicit drugs.

Where do we start to comment on all this?

First, Statistics Canada, which operates at arm's length from Industry
Canada, reported that an estimated three million people aged 15 or
older reported using marijuana or hashish at least once before the
survey was conducted.

But the survey involved about 37,000 respondents and the figures were
"extrapolated" to three million.

According to figures published in health reports, 6.5 per cent of
Canadians reported using cannabis in 1989. In 1994 and 2002 the
proportion has reached 12.2 per cent.

While the cost of the survey isn't known, any amount is a waste of
money, and represents more money wasted on the whole cannabis issue.

It seems to be a bit of leger de main to go from 37,000 interviewed to
a conclusion involving three million people. And it's difficult to
believe that so many Canadians would readily admit to breaking the
law.

The survey also collected data on the use of cocaine or crack,
ecstasy, LSD, heroin and speed.

After all this information has been collected and analyzed, how will
it be used? What difference would it make if 90 per cent of those
interviewed had admitted to using the drugs?

About 47 per cent of those who had used cannabis in the previous year
had done so less than once a month. Why is that significant?

The statistics indicate that 15.5 per cent of men reported cannabis
use compared to 9.1 per cent of women. There was no measurable
difference in the genders in the 15 to 17-year-old range. Once again,
the question is why is this important?

We in Canada should have the right to see our dollars spent wisely. A
survey that helps determine if police officers or schools etc. are
needed is fine. But we spend enough money on trying to nab people for
using drugs. Our police and courts could be better used dealing with
criminals if adults were allowed to use drugs.

The use of these drugs is foolish, but this is a victimless
foolishness that should not be against the law.

And that survey is a waste of taxpayers' money.