DECRIMINALIZATION GOOD FIRST STEP

Good move on the part of the federal government for finally introducing some
renewed cannabis laws. It appears this step is the appropriate one for the
change in attitudes toward marijuana. I only wish the justice minister
wasn't so quick in ruling out the possibility of full legalization. How
quickly he forgot the Senate report last September, which urged legalization
of marijuana.

Nonetheless, here we are more then a year later and finally taking the first
step. I do agree that a revamped national drug strategy is an ideal thought;
but perhaps it is merely that, just a thought. I question the effectiveness
of a drug strategy plan aimed at discouraging pot use among teens when the
fines for marijuana possession for young people are less then that for
adults. I doubt that any anti-drug campaign will be effective, as people in
general are inclined to make their own choices depending on their own
beliefs. But at least it is recognized now that smoking marijuana is not a
crime.

We have medicinal marijuana, which recognizes marijuana as having
therapeutic benefits. Who is to say that it only benefits certain medical
conditions, and not everyday, minor annoyances such as nausea, migraine
headaches, etc. It will be interesting to witness how the public's attitudes
will further change when this bill becomes the law. And as Mr. Chretien
plans to put forth a vote of confidence on this issue in the House of
Commons, I salute him as I consider this to be part of his lasting legacy as
the greatest prime minister this country has ever seen. Vive le Canada!!!

Troy Dexter

Ottawa

(The best PM ever?!? He barely qualifies as the best Canadian PM this
century!)