CANADA A HIGH SOCIETY

Marc Emery wasn't surprised to hear that Canadians toke up at four
times the world average, nor the implication that British Columbians
thereby lead the industrialized world in pot consumption.

"Canadians are having a resurgence of use in their senior years," said
Emery, leader of the B.C. Marijuana Party, as a possible explanation
for the high rate of marijuana use.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime's recent 2007 World Drug Report found
that 16.8 per cent of Canadians between 15 and 64 admitted to using a
cannabis product in 2006, in comparison to a world average of 3.8 per
cent for the same demographic.

People are discovering marijuana to combat cancer, multiple sclerosis
and epilepsy in their senior years, Emery said, which has led, in
part, to decreasing the stigma surrounding the drug.

"The range of experiences is expanding. Now the only generation
(pre-baby boomers) left that didn't grow up with a familiarity of weed
in a social context is discovering it."

Emery said part of the reason the drug culture is so prevalent in
Vancouver is due in large part to the rugged terrain and mild climate
that helps plants to thrive.

He added that at least 35 per cent of the national marijuana trade is
based in British Columbia. An RCMP study estimates it is even higher,
at roughly 50 per cent.

Meanwhile, the number of people arrested for smoking marijuana rose
dramatically in Vancouver and several other Canadian cities in 2006,
according to recent media reports.

Vancouver, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax all reported increases in pot
possession arrests of between 20 to 50 per cent in 2006, from the
previous year.

The Vancouver Police did not have supporting statistics readily
available yesterday.