MPS HOLD BREATH ON MARIJUANA

Legalizing pot will worsen border tie-ups created after the terrorist
attacks on the World Trade Centre, predicts Nanaimo-Alberni MP James Lunney.

And Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Reed Elley fears the social costs of making
cannabis more accessible, if Ottawa supports the Canadian Senate's proposal
to legalize the drug.

Lunney says a cloud of suspicion now hanging over Canada, for its
underground pot-growing industry, will get worse if cannabis is legalized.

"Some people are wondering what the senators have been smoking," Lunney says.

"I think you would have some real problems with borders. I can't imagine
(the U.S) would react favourably."

Both Alliance party members agree the House of Commons should debate
decriminalization, once the House standing committee on substance abuse
tables its report, probably in November.

But they draw the line at legalization, which under the Senate proposal
will include state-controlled sale of the drug to adults 16 and older.

Elley calls the Senate recommendations sensational and incomplete.

"I don't think they were able to tap into all the sources," Elley says.

"The jury is still out on the long term effects of using marijuana, and I
don't think it should be out there for people to consume."

Elley agrees the drug is already widely available, and it's expensive
fighting what the Senate considers a less dangerous drug than alcohol.

"We have to look at somehow taking the profit motive out of this and I know
that's a concern," Elley says.

Marijuana grow-ops also produce millions of dollars annually for organized
crime, while costing landlords thousands in building repair bills.

Both MPs say the Senate should await the standing committee report, before
making sweeping statements about legalization.

"We need to wait until that (standing committee) report comes along and the
House of Commons will make it's decision," Elley says.