Pubdate: Tue, 18 Dec 2007
Source: Metro (Calgary, CN AB)
Copyright: 2007 Free Daily News Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/archive.aspx?pdfCity=calgary
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4471
Author: Krista Sylvester
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?199 (Mandatory Minimum Sentencing)

POT BILL GENERATES BUZZ

City Protesters Join Nationwide Rally Against Proposed Law

"Legalize, Regulate and Educate," was the message protesters were 
trying to send to politicians yesterday during a pro-marijuana rally 
in front of Stephen Harper's constituency office.

Protesters of Bill C26, the Conservative Party's proposal to instil 
mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences, took their defiance 
against the proposal to 308 constituency offices across the country 
yesterday during the National Day of Protest.

Keith Fagin of the protest group Calgary 420 was outside of Harper's 
office in protest of the bill that would set the minimum jail 
sentence for cannabis offences at nine months.

"We're here to get the politicians to vote 'No' against the bill. 
It's just going to cost taxpayers more money to put ordinary people 
in jail. It's crazy to make someone spend nine months in jail for 
using marijuana," Fagin said, adding that a lot of people need the 
drug for medicinal purposes.

"What they should be doing is ending prohibition and then there would 
be less crime. Tax it and legalize it and use the money towards health care."

Fagin was part of a group of about 10 people who marched with signs.

Lyle Strand, 53, was also on hand to rally for the legalization of 
marijuana for medicinal use with his 41-year-old wife Sandi who is 
legally blind and has severe diabetes. She also suffers severe 
migraines and has used pot to ease the pain.

"It's terrifying to think if I am thrown in jail for nine months for 
using marijuana. It is difficult enough to deal with diabetes out 
here I can't imagine if I was put in jail," she said.

"I have explored so many options but they have bad side effects. This 
is what helps me deal with the pain. It doesn't make it go away but 
it makes me able to deal with it. It keeps me functioning."

Bill C26 was introduced by federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson on 
Nov. 20. The bill seeks amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom