LEGALIZE, TAX LUCRATIVE POT INDUSTRY: STUDY

The issue of whether marijuana should be legalized is back in the
forefront, after a paper published by the Fraser Institute advocated
legalizing and taxing pot, considered a multi-billion dollar industry
in B.C.

Stephen Easton, in a study released yesterday, says the broader social
question becomes less whether or not we approve or oppose of local
production, but who shall enjoy the spoils.

"As it stands now, growers and distributors pay some of the costs and
reap all of the benefits of the multi-billion dollar marijuana
industry while the non-marijuana smoking taxpayer sees only costs," he
writes.

"Removing alcohol prohibition generated many problems, but none like
those afflicting society in the days of Al Capone and his ilk.
Removing the prohibition on marijuana production would permit society
to replace today's gift of revenue to organized crime with (at the
very least) an additional source of revenue for government coffers."

In Abbotsford, the report received mixed reactions from politicians
and candidates.

Mayor Mary Reeves, who is behind a new task force to crack down on
grow operations, said legalization is not really what needs to be debated.

"How do we address the issue of organized crime, which is the real
issue?" she asked.

Reeves is also chairwoman of the police board, which recently
supported the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police position that
marijuana is illegal.

That position was prompted by the federal justice ministry's plan to
decriminalize marijuana.

For Conservative candidate Randy White, who previously sat on a
committee that studied the non-medicinal use of drugs, legalization is
"just a red herring in the debate over drugs," he said. The issue
should not be looked at in isolation, but rather a national drug
strategy - which covers all illegal substances and addresses education
and rehabilitation - should be addressed.

White has previously said he supports fines, not criminal charges, for
possession of small amounts of pot if it is decriminalized.

Marijuana Party candidate Tim Felger, who has often criticized White's
views on drugs, welcomes Easton's report, but does not believe it goes
far enough.

"I do not want any regulations at all - if you grow it you sell it,"
Felger said.

Felger believes reports highlighting a pro-marijuana stance are long
overdue.

"One of these days you are going to have to start publishing the
headline 'Tim is Right,'" Felger said.

"Randy White has dodged this issue . . . but the truth has a way of
rising up.

"It (marijuana) is a harmless substance. It has been over-examined and
over-emotionalized."

While not necessarily endorsing the Fraser Institute publication, New
Democrat Party candidate Scott Fast says it fits into his party's view
in favour of decriminalization.

However, he said more studies are necessary to assess the argument for
full legalization.

Fast believes marijuana could be governed in the same way as home-made
beer and wine, allowing producers to make enough for themselves
without allowing them to sell it.

He also says it is party policy to make it illegal to drive under the
influence of marijuana, and to erase the criminal records of people
convicted of small possession charges.

Liberal Party candidate Moe Gill is undecided on the issue.

While he welcomes Easton's report, Gill says it should become part of
a wider public debate.

"When you receive a report, you are not supposed to jump right on top
of it," Gill said.

"It is important to review it, so we should sit down and review
it."

Gill did agree with one point raised in the report.

"He (Easton) says that any (marijuana) income should be taxed and that
is a good sign.

"I think that any revenue from any drug bust should go to the local
police department."

Christian Heritage Party candidate Harold Ludwig says the report
"changes nothing" in terms of his party's stance on the issue. "We are
still against the legalization of marijuana. We do not believe that is
the route to go," Ludwig said.

Green Party candidate Karl Hann had not returned calls as of press
deadline. Marxist-Leninist Party candidate David Mackay could not be
contacted.

The full report can be found at http://www.fraserinstitute.ca