Pubdate: Tue, 27 May 2003
Source: Canadian Press (Canada Wire)
Copyright: 2003 The Canadian Press (CP)
Author: James McCarten
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

EXPERTS CLASH ON IMPACT OF NEW POT LAW ON YOUTH; SMOKERS TAKE NEWS IN STRIDE

TORONTO (CP) - As the grownups bickered about the consequences, Ottawa 
started making good Tuesday on its promise to ease the criminal 
repercussions of possessing marijuana - and the kids took it all in stride.

Young people across Canada celebrated the move as medical experts and 
academics clashed over whether decriminalization would light a fire 
underneath adolescent consumption rates.

"It probably will encourage it, but from what I've seen most people do it 
anyway," said James Copley, a 19-year-old college student who lives in the 
Montreal area.

"I really don't think people deserve a criminal record for smoking a gram 
of pot one evening."

Paul Whitehead, a professor of sociology at the University of Western 
Ontario in London, Ont., disagreed vehemently.

"It isn't possible in our society to increase the availability or the 
acceptability of marijuana for normal, healthy adults without increasing 
its acceptability and availability for children and adolescents," Whitehead 
said.

"The consequence will be that we will have more frequent use among children 
and adolescents and more kids getting into trouble as a result."

On the other side of the fence were those who believe pot laws in Canada 
have never much discouraged the use of marijuana and aren't likely to have 
much of an impact when they're removed.

"Cannabis consumption is already fairly prevalent amongst Canadian young 
people," said David Marsh, clinical director of addiction medicine at the 
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in Toronto.

"We don't think the current legislative framework works as an effective 
deterrent for young people using cannabis."

Under legislation introduced by Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, possession 
of up to 15 grams of pot - enough to roll about 15 or 20 joints - would be 
a minor offence punishable by a fine. Youths could face fines of up to $250 
for minor possession while adults could be fined $400.

The addiction centre's study of Ontario adolescents found that 29.8 per 
cent of respondents in 2001 reported consuming pot during the past year, 
compared with a scant 12.7 per cent in 1993.

Pot even outpaced tobacco, which was used by just 23.6 per cent of the 
respondents, who were from Grades 7 to 12. More boys than girls - 33.7 per 
cent versus 26 per cent - reported using pot in the last year.

In 2001, respondents who reported selling cannabis set an all-time high of 
8.3 per cent, compared with just three per cent in 1991.

Still, there's plenty of room for consumption to grow, Whitehead said.

"Years of surveys have indicated that when you ask people, 'Why don't you 
use marijuana,' the first reason usually given is that it is unlawful."

The message from Canada's youth? Mellow out, man.

"Smoking pot is good," said 15-year-old Selia, a Montreal high school 
student who said she's has been using marijuana for nearly three years.

Selia and her schoolmate Tesy - they refused to give their last names - 
both said their biggest concern about decriminalization is that it could 
lead to higher prices and poorer quality pot.

"Of course there are consequences (from pot), but as long as you don't 
abuse it, you're OK."

In Vancouver, widely acknowledged as Canada's cannabis capital, the smell 
of weed on the street is as familiar as the aroma of hot dogs cooking on a 
street vendor's grill.

For that city's pot-smoking denizens, the move to decriminalize was really 
more symbolic than anything else.

"There are always cops who are going to want to bust you, but I've never 
had a problem," said Alan, 19.

"Maybe I was scared about getting caught in Grade 9, but generally I've 
always found it to be a laid-back atmosphere."

Dave, meanwhile, celebrated his 20th birthday by flaring up a joint on the 
steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery.

"People think it's like crack or heroin and it's not," he said. "Smoking 
pot helps people like my mother, who has cancer, with chemotherapy; it 
helps with the pain, and now she won't have to worry about getting a 
criminal record for it."

In Toronto, Robin Ellins, the proprietor of "cannabis culture" shop The 
Friendly Stranger, said it's high time Ottawa began distinguishing between 
marijuana and harder, more dangerous narcotics.

"The biggest thing we can do at this stage, something that should have been 
done all along, is inform and educate our youth about all substances," 
Ellins said.

Suggesting pot is as dangerous as cocaine and heroin has a tendency to 
backfire he added.

"Under the old system, somebody was told cocaine and heroin are evil, 
deadly substances and so is pot," he said.

"They try pot at a party and they're like, 'Wow, this isn't so bad; what 
are they talking about? Maybe cocaine isn't so bad either.' I think this is 
actually going to help when it comes to the education and awareness side 
level the playing field a bit."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom