Pubdate: Tue, 08 Jan 2002
Source: Victoria News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 Victoria News
Contact:  http://www.vicnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267
Author: Don Descoteau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

DECORATED PROFESSOR TO SPEAK ON ANTI-DRUG LAWS

Victoria residents who feel Canada's anti-drug laws have little effect in 
controlling illicit drug use will have a heavy hitter in their court during 
an informational lecture tomorrow (Jan. 10).

Dr. Jim Hackler, professor emeritus from the University of Alberta, a 
part-time professor of sociology at the University of Victoria and the 
author of several books on criminal policy in Canada, will be speaking 
about laws relating to illicit drugs at the downtown branch of the Greater 
Victoria Public Library. The presentation will start at 7 p.m.

Hackler's appearance is being sponsored by the British Columbia 
Anti-Prohibition League, a group that lobbies for the de-criminalization of 
marijuana and other drug law reform.

"Even though I may not agree with all their strategies, I do agree that the 
present legislation is very destructive," says Hackler, the 1998 winner of 
the Herbert Bloch Award from the American Society of Criminology.

"At the present time it's quite clear in my mind that we have practices and 
procedures and laws that give one of the most profitable businesses in the 
world to the most ruthless criminals in the world."

Medical marijuana advocate and supplier Ted Smith, who had his Victoria 
bookshop raided last Thursday and seven pounds of pot and other related 
products seized by police, is also supporting the Anti-Prohibition League 
in its efforts to rekindle interest in the organization.
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MAP posted-by: Lou King