THE STREET BUZZ ON EASING POT LAWS

Some of what Canadians had to say yesterday about Ottawa's efforts to relax
marijuana possession laws:

"The fact that they're decriminalizing possession just means that people are
no longer threatened with criminal sanction -- being fingerprinted,
photographed and put through the system. It may take away the fear of
criminal prosecution, but the law has never had any effect whatsoever on
deterring people from consuming cannabis." -- Robin Ellins, proprietor of
Toronto cannabis culture shop The Friendly Stranger.

"The reality is, it's less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, and I think with
this new change coming through that our government is actually acknowledging
that fact." -- Ellins

"Anything like regular marijuana use is still a minority experience among
most kids ... There's plenty of room for the rates of use to grow, and these
changes in legislation will do that." -- Paul Whitehead, sociology professor
at University of Western Ontario.

"I've been harassed by police, I've been assaulted by police over not even
$10 worth of weed. I've had $60 glass pipes broken in front of my face. I
hope it will be able to close the boundaries a little bit, and police won't
be so mad at people who have marijuana. Maybe we can start getting along."
- -- Dave, who celebrated with a joint on the steps of the Vancouver Art
Gallery.

"I think it's ridiculous. This won't stop people from using drugs. It will
probably encourage them to obtain more." -- Loik, a 19-year-old college
student from the University of Quebec at Montreal.