CORRECT DECISION ON FUTURE OF POT LAWS

Pot smokers might not like the Supreme Court of Canada's decision verifying
the validity of Canada's marijuana laws, but the decision was the correct one.

Even as the federal government contemplates changes to the laws regarding
possession of marijuana, the right to change the law should be left up to
Parliament - not the courts.

The role of the courts is ensure the laws are properly applied and follow
the Constitution and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The courts can't
decide that a law doesn't apply on any other grounds.

The ruling last Tuesday also makes it very clear that it is up to Ottawa to
determine the legality of marijuana.

But that didn't make it any easier for those pushing for decriminalization
of pot.

"I'm bummed out, man," said David Malmo-Levine, a pot activist from
Vancouver. "I was dreaming of a green Christmas, but they grinched out on
us. "Their hearts are two sizes too small."

Malmo-Levine and others argued that Canada's pot laws violated the Charter
because the punishments were too extreme - jail time for simple possession.
Prime Minister Paul Martin said he plans to reintroduce legislation to
decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana, after the previous
attempt died on the order table when Jean Chretien ended the last session
earlier this month.

The debate about marijuana and its use will heat up again in the new year,
as advocates of its use push for less restrictive laws.

What we have to keep in mind is that marijuana is a drug. It has major side
effects and causes damage to those who use it.

Whether we allow people to damage themselves, however, is at the basis of
all our laws. There are many products available with few restrictions that
can also be damaging - from cigarettes to alcohol.

Canadians have to ask themselves where do we draw the line when it comes to
people harming themselves - as long as they don't harm others?

And the Supreme Court has upheld the right of society, through our elected
officials, to make that decision. It's a good ruling by the courts and a
more difficult one for the rest of us.