ONE TOKE OVER THE LINE

As Canadian society and our federal government march inexorably towards the
decriminalization of cannabis, there remain a few hurdles to be cleared.
Amongst these is the fear that the moment that pot is decriminalized our
otherwise upstanding and law-abiding pillars of the community will rush
out, buy a big bag of dope, and proceed to fire up the old chainsaw and go
on a rampage.

Showing their usual aplomb for judging the opinions of the Canadian people,
the Canadian Alliance Party, and in particular its new leader Stephen
Harper have characteristically brought nothing of value to the debate.

Harper's clinging to the notion that pot is somehow worse than alcohol is
simply irrelevant and completely contrary to the Senate's recommendation.
His stance flies in the face of the Senate's report on decriminalization
and ignores one key point: legalizing cannabis and thereby bringing it
under some kind of government control would be a positive step towards
keeping it out of our schools and away from our children.

Some of those who would have cannabis remain illegal have suggested that
legal cannabis use is increased cannabis use. The logic of that claim is
not readily apparent. Legal or not, cannabis is everywhere. It seems more
likely that those predisposed to use the drug recreationally have had the
chance to do so and the feared rush to the local Marijauna Distribution
Branch outlet at the mall will just not materialize.

The precurser to this geologic shift in political opinion occured nearly
thirty years ago when Prime Minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau responded ever
so coyly when asked if he had ever tried 'it'.

It was, after all, just a matter of time before even a staid and often
stodgy group like our Senate would have to come to this point. The "We are
stardust. We are golden" generation has come home to roost. The only
difference is that in the new millenium they are not wearing flowers in
their hair, beads around their necks, tie-died T-shirts and driving VWs.
They are now wearing three piece suits, driving Mercedes SUVs and are
captains of industry and pillars of their communities.

But they still have a pack of Zig Zags in the glove compartment.