Pubdate: Thu, 12 Dec 2002
Source: Telegram, The (CN NF)
Copyright: 2002 The Telegram
Contact:  http://www.thetelegram.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/303

GRIMES IN FAVOUR OF LEGALIZING POT

Premier Roger Grimes not only favours decriminalizing marijuana use, he 
thinks it should be legalized, produced in factories and taxed like tobacco 
to pay for services like health care.

Grimes, who admitted to experimenting with pot in his youth, said it's a 
federal matter to decide.

"I'm saying if I ever were to run federally, I'd probably put in my plank 
that we should not only decriminalize it, we should legalize it -- have it 
produced in factories and plants, raise some revenues from it and treat it 
the same as alcohol. Put an age limit on it and recognize there's some use 
of it out there, make it safer, make some money from it," he told reporters 
Wednesday.

Legislation In New Year

On Monday, federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Ottawa wanted to 
move quickly on the issue and could bring in legislation early in the new 
year to decriminalize pot use.

Grimes said, however, pot didn't turn him on.

"I experimented with it way back in university days -- that's over 30 years 
ago for me. I didn't like it. It didn't do anything for me."

Opposition Tory Leader Danny Williams won't say whether he favours 
decriminalizing marijuana until he discusses it with his caucus.

"I don't think it would be fair for me right now to speak outside the 
caucus. We do operate as a caucus on issues like that," said Williams, who 
said he's also "experimented."

"For about 10 seconds I did use it, yes," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Beth