THERE'S HOPE FOR POTHEADS

Sixty-four joints, 160 bowls or 320 hits from the bong.

Cut up your 30 grams of pot anyway you want without stressing about
possible jail time if the Canadian government follows a parliamentary
committee recommendation to decriminalize possession and cultivation of pot
in amounts less than 30 grams.

From chronic potheads with home-grow labs to the sick who can't get
federal exemptions to the recreational users who puff away on a Saturday
night, it was good news and brought with it hope smokers would no longer be
labelled criminals.

"Merry cannabis to all pot smokers," said William Palmer, who can legally
haul on joints for medicinal purposes and often has at least 30 grams in
his pocket. "It's time for the laws to change."

Palmer, 37, who has HIV and can carry 150 grams legally, said because of
his illness 30 grams would only last him two days but for the average
recreational user the amount recommended by the committee would be enough
for about a month.

Steve, who wouldn't give his last name, said 30 grams, which has a street
value of about $300, is what he roughly cultivates from one plant every six
weeks. It's also enough to last him and his friends about a month. He said
it's not a large enough amount to push people into dealing.