POT SMOKE CLOUDS REAL DEBATE

First there was smoke, then there was fire.

The recommendation from a Senate committee that Canada legalize marijuana
brought a furious, and disheartening, reaction.

Whether legalizing pot is the best step for the country is uncertain. What
was disappointing was the rejoinder from many quarters that the suggestion
itself was outrageous and showed the inherent corruption of the Senate.

Now, the Canadian Senate is a deeply flawed institution for a number of
reasons. But if anything, this is exactly what it should be doing --
fostering public debate with a freedom that is not available to MPs
shackled by party discipline and electoral considerations.

And despite the abrupt dismissal of the marijuana proposal by opposition
MPs and groups like the Canadian Police Association, this is an idea that
cuts to the heart of many issues in this country.

It raises a significant question about personal freedom and how far the
state should go in restricting activities that often have no impact on any
other people.

Canada's current marijuana laws are often broken by a portion of the
population that is otherwise law-abiding. They are laws not often enforced
by police, which raises questions about their credibility. Against all
those considerations is the fact that there may be significant social and
health costs that would come from legalizing marijuana.

While some Canadians would prefer legalization and others the status quo,
many others think decriminalization -- which would make possession of small
amounts of marijuana a non-criminal offence -- is the best route.

Recent polls show Canadians split almost evenly between legalizing personal
use of marijuana and those who believe it should remain against the law.

It all goes to show there should not simply be a contemptuous dismissal
that will close off discussion.

What the country should hope for is that the Senate's proposal will spark a
debate on which all sides respectfully make their case to each other and
the people of Canada.

When the smoke clears, Canadians can then make a clearheaded decision about pot.