JOINT SUBMISSION

Canada's chamber of sober second thought backs legalizing marijuana

By SHANE HOLLADAY, EDMONTON SUN

Citing decades of research and public opinion, Canada's Senate is backing
legal pot -- but the move faces months of stiff opposition.

While senators said Canada should suck it up and make pot legally available
to anyone over 16 years of age, the Canadian Police Association called the
recommendation "a back-to-school gift for drug pushers."

The Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs launched its study on
marijuana in March 2001, with a mandate to study pot's social and health
impacts in Canada and abroad.

Following yesterday's announcement, federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon
said he'll examine the report, but is waiting for a House of Commons report
on pot expected in November, said department spokesman Suzanne Thebarge.

Any hint of a policy decision by Cauchon might not be forthcoming for
another six months, she said.

Before reporters, Cauchon shied away from a position on legalization, but
did say "we must be able to evolve at the pace of society.

"When we have legislation that's not really being enforced because it's no
longer consistent with social realities, it's important for a government to
look at and reshape such legislation," said Cauchon.

Canadians should be able to buy pot much like they now buy alcohol, said
Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, chairman of the special committee behind the
report.

"Let's be pragmatic. Millions of people are using it even with
prohibition," said Nolin.

"Scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that cannabis is
substantially less harmful than alcohol and should be treated not as a
criminal issue but as a social and public health issue."

Canadian Police Association executive director David Griffin said he found
the report appalling. "Drugs are not dangerous because they're illegal,
drugs are illegal because they are dangerous," Griffin said.

The association, which represents rank- and-file cops, says crime and
violence go hand in hand with drugs. "There is no such thing as safe use of
illicit drugs, including marijuana."

Nolin said pot use itself doesn't lead to violence, and legalizing it would
cut out organized drug traffickers who may use violence.

Pot has also not been proven to be either addictive or to harbour any
long-term side-effects, he added. Studies cited in the report contradict
theories linking marijuana use to drugs like cocaine and heroin, said Nolin.

In short, the report argues prohibition has failed.

The report doesn't encourage marijuana use, but argues regulating it would
save hundreds of millions in annual drug-enforcement costs, said Nolin.

By late yesterday, an unscientific online Global news poll suggested 58% of
voters favour and 41% oppose selling pot in Canada like alcohol is
presently sold.

"It should be declared legal, it never should have been made illegal," said
Reginald Normore, a former federal Marijuana party candidate who has been
arrested for trafficking. "It's only propaganda that it should remain illegal."

The report advocates total amnesty for the 300,000 to 600,000 Canadians who
have a criminal record for simple possession.

The Supreme Court of Canada announced yesterday it would hear a
constitutional challenge to the legality of the marijuana laws in mid-December.