Pubdate: Fri, 13 Dec 2002
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Contact:  2002 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Website: http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n2264/a12.html
Author: Chuck Beyer

CANADIANS WANT LEGALIZATION

Rather than questioning the federal government's intention regarding 
marijuana decriminalization, the Ontario provincial government should 
explain to the Canadian people why it is important to its agenda to 
maintain criminal penalties for a law that does not have popular support.

Seventy-five per cent of Canadians want marijuana decriminalized and 
a slim majority want outright legalization, according to polls.

Furthermore, the Canadian Senate has produced a report recently which 
concluded marijuana is less harmful than alcohol or tobacco, and that 
it should be regulated like the wine industry. Clearly Ontario 
Attorney General David Young does not get it.

What we have here is a popular revolt against an unwanted law. It is 
a taxpayers' revolt, and it is the will of the people, and he had 
better get used to it.

Chuck Beyer

Victoria