TAYLOR HOPEFUL ABOUT POT LAWS

The overwhelming reaction to the recent Senate committee report
recommending the legalization of marijuana has been one of surprise and
incredulity amongst commentators.

While most in the news media have stated that there is no way the
government will carry out the recommendations any time soon, local medical
marijuana advocate Brian Taylor thinks differently.

"The momentum is so unstoppable that the worst that will happen is a year
of decrim and then legalization," Taylor says.

While Taylor thinks the age limit of 16 will be controversial, he agrees
with the Senate's conclusion that decriminalization is hypocritical and
should be avoided. He thinks the House of Commons will go along with this
approach.

"(Committee chair, Senator Pierre Claude) Nolin himself said he thought the
Commons report would be consistent with the senate report," Taylor says. "I
think the Commons will support legalization."

He adds that he does not think the issue is on the Americans radar right
now so the timing is right to move ahead with legalization.

"I think the Americans are already putting pressure on and the people are
being harassed," he said. "But it is very superficial. They are too busy.
They've got Iraq. The timing couldn't be better."

One major problem with legalization according to Taylor is the economic
impact on the province. Despite being illegal, marijuana is a big economic
factor in the province and he says that because about half the marijuana
produced here is sold to people within the province, a lot of money could
leave the economy. If it becomes legal to produce it at home then people
will not need to purchase it from B.C. dealers.

"We could lose about $1 billion out of the cash flow in the economy," he says.

The Senate committee is recommending legalization and then regulation and
to Taylor that means the province then will have to take over the way they
control liquor and he hopes they will have to do just that.

"I would hate to think that there is any moral and ethical problem," he
says. "I would hope that they (the B.C. government) are pragmatic enough."

CBC radio and other news outlets looking for comment on the Senate report
have interviewed Taylor but he says he wants to see some comments from
decision makers soon.

"I'd like to see more politicians speak on it. It will take some time for
this to sink in."