POT DECRIMINALIZATION GARNERS SUPPORT IN B.C.

Marijuana is estimated to generate $6 billion per year in British Columbia,
thus making it the province's second-largest industry. Not surprisingly,
support for decriminalizing possession of the drug is highest on Canada's
West Coast.

Fifty-six per cent of British Columbians are in favour of decriminalizing
marijuana, according to a poll conducted by the Strategic Counsel, a
Toronto-based polling firm.

Saskatchewan and the Atlantic provinces had the lowest numbers of support,
with 46 per cent in favour of decriminalization. Nationwide, 50 per cent of
those surveyed stated that they were in favour of decriminalizing
possession of marijuana.

Lawyer Patricia Schmit of Chudiak Schmit and Co., and head of Quesnel's Bar
Association, said it is "ridiculous" to treat the possession of marijuana
as a criminal offence. She also said that she would even be in favour of
legalizing the drug.

Charging otherwise law abiding citizens with a criminal offence is
senseless, Schmitt said, adding that the legal costs involved are
disproportionally higher than the benefit to society. She also said that
cases involving marijuana are "a very minor problem in Quesnel."

Nationawide, however, it is estimated that approximately 600,000 Canadians
have a criminal record for possession of marijuana. Schmitt also said that
the laws regulating the possession of marijuana are outdated - they were
implemented early last century. In fact, marijuana was first banned in
Canada in 1923 under the Opium and Drug Act. Since 1997 marijuana and other
illicit drugs are covered by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. It is
this act an increasing number of people want changed or scrapped altogether.

Whereas Canada's drug laws are a relic from the 1920's, the country has
made progress in a related field.

Ontario's Court of Appeal ruled in August 2000 that banning marijuana for
medicinal purposes violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Consequently Canada became the first country in July 2001 to adopt a system
regulating the medicinal use of the drug - the Marijuana Medical Access
Regulations.

Now the laws regulating marijuana are under review again.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon is currently reviewing the simple
possession of marijuana, which he would like to see removed from the
Criminal Code.

Prime Minister Jean Chretien, however, is skeptical and still unsure if
decriminalizing the drug would be a wise move.

Also, the United States is vehemtly opposed to decriminalization north of
the border. Given the recent tensions between the two countries, the
Canadian government cannot dismiss American criticism lightheartedly.

The Strategic Counsel poll was conducted in the first half of November last
year. A total of 1,400 adult Canadians were surveyed, and the results are
considered accurate to plus or minus 3.1 percentage points, or 19 times out
of 20.