PRISON POT SMOKERS MAY GET A BREAK

TORONTO -- The Correctional Service of Canada has put together a proposal
to turn a blind eye to some positive tests for marijuana and hashish use
among prisoners and offenders released in the community, the Globe and Mail
reported yesterday.

The correctional service, which has a zero-tolerance policy on drugs and
alcohol, would continue to test for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active
ingredient in marijuana. But it would act on positive tests only when the
drug use is considered to be a problem for an offender and there is concern
about increased criminal risk. The proposal might, for example, lead to
fewer people returned to prison for using marijuana after their release and
fewer disciplinary measures against prisoners who test positive.

The paper describes THC as a soft drug that sedates prisoners, reduces
their propensity for violence and does not impair cognitive functions and
perception as other drugs and alcohol do.