Pubdate: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.aldergrovestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989 Author: Tom Fletcher Note: Tom Fletcher is editor of the Maple Ridge News. Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?142 (Safe Injecting Rooms) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/opinion.htm (Opinion) LEGISLATORS, MEDIA MORE ADDLED THAN POTHEADS Once again we are treated to the spectacle of Vancouver attempting to lead the way in national drug policy, and once again it's a slapstick comedy. Soon after Vancouver Mayor Larry Campbell sheepishly announced the city's shoot-up site was a bigger "success" than expected (meaning lots more junkies using this taxpayer-financed "service"), it was "revealed" that there has been a plan all along to open a "safe" crack-smoking room, which has already been built. This aspect of the plan appears to have collapsed under the weight of its own ridiculousness but, not to worry, it will be back eventually. And then a pot retail shop called Da Kine is "revealed" on Commercial Drive. Once the city media were led by the hand to the story, the mayor found out, and shrugged it off. Then the police admitted they had known for some time. Then B.C.'s Solicitor General felt moved to issue a statement that the Narcotic Control Act is still in effect, even in Vancouver, and that selling marijuana is in fact still illegal. Then the store was busted. Regular folks, especially those seeing this store operate unmolested all summer, could be forgiven for concluding that marijuana had been legalized. Some of the young people I've heard from seem convinced it's legal now. Why? Well, for one thing, the former Prime Minister said simple possession would be decriminalized. That legislation, launched with fanfare, was left like other bills to die on the order paper, leaving the impression that the federal government was interested in a short-term publicity hit, not actual governing. Some of these young people may also have seen a recent program on CBC's "all-news" channel called Play Goes to Pot. The host of this taxpayer-funded public television "news" program sported a custom-printed "Play Goes to Pot" T-shirt and microphone, both decorated with big green marijuana leaves. He gleefully interviewed pot activist Marc Emery and his guests as they took part in a marijuana tasting that involved smoking huge joints and making increasingly incoherent comments on the taste and "buzz" of the various strains on hand. The striking thing about this show, aside from the use of plastic bags to deliver "supertokes" to the giggling participants, and the enthusiastic approval of the host, was the sheer quantity consumed. It was the dope equivalent of guzzling Jack Daniel's out of the bottle. What's a kid to make of a show like that, or of a federal government like ours? The kid, or for that matter adult, is likely to conclude that Canadian law is a joke, and he or she would be right. Like many Canadians, I support legalization of marijuana. Unlike more dangerous narcotics, evidence suggests it is generally harmless if used in moderation. As a practical matter, it's too easy to produce locally to be successfully banned, wasting valuable police resources. Now if we just had a federal government that would take action in a serious, orderly way, and restore confidence in the law. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D