Pubdate: Sat, 04 May 2002 Source: Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (Canada Web) Copyright: 2002 CBC Contact: http://www.cbc.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1412 MARIJUANA LOBBYISTS LIGHT UP ON PARLIAMENT HILL VANCOUVER - Thousands of Canadians, some smoking pot, took part in what supporters called the "Million Marijuana March" Saturday. In at least 18 communities across the country, people rallied to decriminalize cannabis. Carrying banners with slogans like "Overgrow the Government," they sang songs and gave speeches demanding an end to the prohibition against pot. Similar demonstrations were held in more than 150 cities around the world - a tradition on the first Saturday in May for the past few years. "The Canadian public is coming on side. Sooner or later, the politicians will have to follow," predicted Eugene Oscapella of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy. "What we need is legal, controlled, regulated access to marijuana for adults," he told a rally on Parliament Hill. "We need honest education about cannabis." But critics are worried that letting adults smoke marijuana will increase society's existing problems caused by drug abuse and addiction. "Our nation is at risk ... our children and our families and our businesses and our way of life virtually are at risk because of the predominant use of drugs in our society," said Linda Bentall of the International Drug Education and Awareness Society. On Thursday, a Senate committee released a discussion paper on changes to marijuana laws. It suggested there may be good reasons to decriminalize the drug. The committee plans to hold public hearings over the next two months before issuing a final report at the end of the summer. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth