Pubdate: Sat, 14 Dec 2002
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Mack Mcleod

DRUG LAW REFORM A HIGH PRIORITY

Drug law reform is a high priority for the 37,000 Canadians who are 
arrested for marijuana possession each year.

The fact that most Canadians agree it's not worthy of criminal sanctions 
makes it a priority.

As for being against people polluting their bodies, I suppose we'll be 
criminalizing fast food, alcohol and tobacco soon, as well.

These are, of course, stupid analogies, as we don't make people criminals 
for what they choose to consume. It's a health and social issue.

But we do criminalize the use of some substances and that is where the 
legal inequity lies. Criminality is ridiculous and hypocritical for 
marijuana and this encourages young people to ignore the law.

The Senate and parliamentary studies on the non-medical use of drugs have 
been on-going for years and the harm-reduction principle has been presented 
in various constitutional challenges.

The fact that these committees are concluding with recommendations to act 
can hardly come as a surprise to our health minister and attorney-general 
if they have been paying any attention at all to what is going on in this 
country.

These guys should stop the childish remarks and just deal with the issues.

Mack Mcleod,

Thornhill
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MAP posted-by: Beth