GOING TO POT

Canada should legalize the use of marijuana by anyone over 16, a Senate
committee recommended Wednesday.

The special committee said the current system of prohibition doesn't work
and should be replaced by a regulated system, perhaps like that used for
alcohol.

But that doesn't mean the public should worry the country will become
enveloped in a cloud of marijuana smoke.

"They're not promoting its use for recreational consumption," said Paul
Hasselback, Medical Officer of Health for the Chinook Health Region. "They
recognize there are issues that need to be overcome.

"I think they're trying to establish a policy direction for Canada."

Consequently, Hasselback isn't panicking about the Senate report that
follows a two-year, $550,000 study of public policy related to marijuana.
But he admitted the possibility of decriminalizing marijuana use raises
some health concerns that need to be addressed.

"It is associated with long-term health consequences," said Hasselback,
listing respiratory problems such as chronic bronchitis among the concerns,
along with psychological, sociological and psychiatric issues.

Another concern, Hasselback said, is the effect of marijuana use on
drivers. "We don't have a breathalyser test as we do for alcohol."

The Alberta Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, for the most part, applauded
the Senate committee report.

"Our initial read is it's quite balanced," said Ed Sawka, director of
research for AADAC in Edmonton. "They're making some recommendations for
government consideration that are useful and quite positive ones."

But Sawka said AADAC does have concerns with the recommendation to legalize
marijuana use by adults.

"We have not favoured a change in the legal status of marijuana," he said.
"Our point of view is it should not be considered a benign substance. It's
a psycho-addictive substance"

Insp. Ian Cameron said the Lethbridge Police Service was not in a position
to comment without having seen the report.

"The police don't set the laws of the land, we simply enforce the laws as
they're passed by parliaments," he said.

The committee's report, some 600 pages long, also recommended amnesty for
anyone with a criminal record for possessing pot.