Pubdate: Mon, 01 May 2000
Source: North Shore News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2000 by the North Shore News
Contact:  http://www.nsnews.com/
Author: Bob Mackin, News Reporter, POT POSSESSION FINDS SUPPORT

John Reynolds is surprised.

Many of the MP's constituents in West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast who 
completed a mail-in survey want marijuana and prostitution decriminalized.

Fifty-four per cent of respondents to Reynolds' recent household flyer 
believe cops and the courts should back-off when it comes to possession of 
30 grams or less of pot. An overwhelming 81% believe marijuana should be 
prescribed for medical purposes.

As for prostitution, 62% felt the sex trade should be legalized and 
regulated by municipal and provincial governments.

"It just shows a changing attitude on certain issues," said Reynolds. 
"Maybe they're tired of having a lot of police time spent on issues they 
don't consider as important as the breaking and entering of their 
home.  That could be a sign of frustration."

Reynolds mailed more than 30,000 copies of his newsletter to constituents. 
He said he received approximately 3,000 responses.

The questions dealt primarily with law and order issues. Reynolds is the 
justice critic for the Canadian Alliance, the former Reform Party.
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