MP'S DOPE DRIVIN' DAZE

Peter Goldring Says He'd 'Never, Ever' Try Doing What He Did in His Youth

Edmonton Alliance MP Peter Goldring says he knows through personal
experience why smoking marijuana and getting behind the wheel of a
motor vehicle is bad news.

"Living in Toronto in the '60s and '70s as a young bachelor, you're
nightclubbing, you're doing what everybody else is doing," Goldring
told The Sun yesterday.

"I was driving across the 401, after having smoked (marijuana), and
realized the problems associated with trying to do that."

Alternating as he was between a euphoric high and paranoia, amid
screeching brakes and honking horns, Goldring said he knew his
perception was distorted.

"I would never, ever, and I never ever did repeat that, trying to
drive," he said.

Goldring stressed his pot-smoking days are behind him, adding he felt
it was important to speak about his experiences so people know why
they shouldn't drive stoned.

"I'm trying to be frank and honest here."

His remarks come days after Prime Minister Jean Chretien's government
introduced legislation that would decriminalize possession of less
than 15 grams of pot.

Critics complain the new law will lead to a growing number of impaired
driving infractions, and federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon
admitted Tuesday drug-impaired driving laws would need an overhaul if
the bill is adopted.

Alberta's health minister says he'll "express no opinion" about the
federal government's plans to ease penalties for those caught with
small amounts of pot.

"It's come out of the blue, from my perspective," Gary Mar told The
Sun yesterday.

"It seems to me that not much time has been spent sort of looking at
this issue, so I haven't really had time to think about it, so, no, I
don't express any opinion."

Mar said the federal Liberal government has been tossing around the
idea of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana for
years.

"And now it's sort of come out as a national policy."

Mar added he doesn't know if there are any health risks associated
with smoking pot. "So again, that's why I can't express an opinion."

Asked if his department will look into potential health risks, Mar
replied: "We'll leave it as a federal issue."