Pubdate: Fri, 03 May 2002
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2002, The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.globeandmail.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Kim Lunman
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POT SMOKERS GAIN SENATE BACKERS

Scientific Evidence That Marijuana Leads to Use of Hard Drugs Lacking, 
Panel Says

OTTAWA -- Canadian pot smokers have found new political allies in the 
stodgy Senate.

Some members of the chamber of sober second thought say there is no proof 
marijuana leads to the use of other drugs.

The Senate Special Committee on Illegal Drugs released a discussion paper 
yesterday on marijuana that states there is no scientific evidence that 
cannabis leads users to harder narcotics.

"It may be appropriate to treat it more like alcohol or tobacco than like 
the harder drugs," said Senator Pierre Claude Nolin, chairman of the 
special committee.

But Mr. Nolin said it is too early to know whether the committee, in its 
final report to be completed by August, will recommend decriminalizing 
marijuana. "We're questioning prohibition as an effective way or policy to 
control a substance."

Two years ago, the five-member committee embarked on its review of antidrug 
legislation and policies. It has heard from 80 witnesses, including the 
Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, the Canadian Police Association and 
public-health experts.

"We know it's an important question," Mr. Nolin said. "Almost all Canadians 
have an opinion on drugs."

Mr. Nolin said the committee heard many times from those who believe 
decriminalizing marijuana is morally wrong. "Moral is not exactly the kind 
of scientific evidence we're looking for," he said.

The senators' discussion paper on cannabis found that most recreational 
users smoke marijuana "only temporarily and irregularly," with 10 per cent 
becoming "chronic users" and 5 to 10 per cent becoming addicted. The report 
found that marijuana is not a "gateway" to getting hooked on harder drugs.

"There is no convincing evidence to establish the gateway hypothesis," the 
discussion paper states. "Data from population surveys show that out of 100 
cannabis users in adolescence, about 10 will become regular users and five 
will move to using other drugs."

Senator Tommy Banks said that one concern of the committee members is the 
cost of enforcement in criminal cases involving marijuana.

The committee reports that 30,000 people are charged with simple cannabis 
possession each year.

"Marijuana is perhaps the least harmful 'drug,' " Mr. Banks said.

The committee will travel to six cities across Canada, including Montreal, 
Regina and Richmond, B.C, in May and June for town-hall meetings on the issue.

Last week, the Liberal government effectively blocked a private member's 
bill introduced by Canadian Alliance MP Keith Martin to decriminalize 
possession of small quantities of marijuana. Dr. Martin said the Senate 
committee's study will not result in any significant changes.

"This problem goes around and around in circles," he said. "For the Senate 
to study it again is a waste of time, money and the House resources. They 
just need to act instead of studying things ad nauseum."

Marc Emery, president of the B.C. Marijuana Party in Vancouver, welcomed 
the committee's findings but said he doubts they will result in any change 
in drug laws.

"They're giving everyone a fair shake because they don't have a political 
stake," he said. "But the Prime Minister's Office won't have anything to do 
with it."
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