LEGALIZE MARIJUANA

How many people you know have used marijuana in the past year? Would
you consider them criminals?

The number is probably a lot higher than you think. Some five million
Canadians smoked marijuana in 2004, according to a United Nations
report on drug use around the world.

That's about one in six people.

With B.C. being known for its particular fondness for cannabis, the
ratio is probably higher here. Perhaps much higher.

So, perhaps one in five of the people you know between the ages of 15
and retirement has used marijuana in the past year.

You probably do not consider them to be criminals.

Obviously they should not be treated in the same manner before the law
as people who commit assaults, theft or fraud. But they are.

We hope that Senator Larry Campbell's call for decriminalization for
small amounts of marijuana gains traction.

He rightly points out that 600,000 Canadians who have been charged
with marijuana possession offences have criminal records, and have
difficulty travelling to the U.S. or crossing other international borders.

The Liberal government put forward a bill to decriminalize marijuana
in 2003. This came about after the Canadian Association of Chiefs of
Police recommended fines for simple possession, instead of Criminal
Code charges.

Most Canadians believe that possessing and using small amounts of
marijuana is generally a victimless crime, and one that causes little
damage to society.

Prohibition, which has created a massive black market and underground
economy, with guns and violence to protect profits, is causing more
harm.