T.O. COUNCIL'S GOING TO POT

Many Have Tried It And Favour Decriminalization

Toronto councillors have more than a token appreciation of the marijuana
issue, according to a Sun survey that found just over half have smoked pot.

A survey of 37 Toronto councillors found that 19 have smoked up at least
once in their lives.

Eight council members -- including Mayor Mel Lastman -- could not be
reached for comment. And just over half the group surveyed -- 20
councillors -- said they support decriminalization.

The survey was done after the release of a city health department position
paper that calls for decriminalization of marijuana possession. Prepared
for the Special Senate Committee on Illegal Drugs, the report stipulates
that even after marijuana possession is no longer a criminal offence there
must be some "legal control framework" to govern pot use, such as a fine.

Of the 19 councillors who said they tried the devil weed, only two, Jack
Layton and Kyle Rae, still smoke reefers -- and not very often.

"I have tried the stuff but I never exhaled," said Layton, a sly allusion
to former U.S. president Bill Clinton's famous quote about never inhaling.

Layton said he dabbles in doobies "only on the rarest of occasions -- only
if I'm at a big party and someone is passing around a 'J', I might have one."

He favors decriminalization.

"It's quite clear to me that, compared to the lethal consequences of
drinking ... I just don't think it's in the same league."

Rae said he smoked pot "on occasion," though not in the past year. "It's
not something I buy; it's not something I look for."

Other councillors said they haven't smoked pot since their teens or college
days, which seems to confirm the findings of the health department's
position paper. It says marijuana use is widespread, particularly among
young people.

Of those who opposed decriminalization, several said they found it
"hypocritical" for the health department to be clamping down on tobacco
smoking at the same time as it is calling on Ottawa to ease up on pot smoking.

Councillor Brian Ashton, who said he has never smoked pot, disagrees with
the health department. "Number one, it's smoking. Number two, it's a drug
that I think actually harms people's health."

The position paper notes that some studies have found negative health
effects associated with long-term marijuana use, including chronic
bronchitis and respiratory cancers.

If the position paper is approved Monday, it will be incorporated in the
Senate committee's report to the feds next August.