Pubdate: Mon, 16 Jan 2006
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Rita Daly, Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

SO, JUST WHAT WERE THEY SMOKING?

Candidates, Crowd Get In The Spirit

Most At Debate Back Legalizing Pot

 From the microphone came a question for the candidates that had 
nothing to do with health or education or the Constitution or guns: 
"Where do you stand on the legalization of marijuana?"

All seven candidates in the riding of Trinity-Spadina, seated at a 
long table at the front of the lecture hall at the Miles Nadal Jewish 
Community Centre on Bloor St. W. last week, smiled as the more than 
300 residents in the packed room suddenly sat up with new interest.

So, legalizing pot, eh?

The first to answer was John Riddell, a white-haired gentleman 
running for the Canadian Action Party, whose day job is 
superintendent of a highrise. The audience hushed as he leaned back 
in his chair, looked upward and replied with a slight grin, "I don't 
think I'd have a problem with that."

Laughter. Cheers.

Next was Nick Lin, running for the Marxist-Leninist Party of Canada, 
making his fourth attempt for political office.

Clearing his throat, he replied, "I don't think it's appropriate for 
the state to interfere in individual lives."

The crowd went wild. "The Communist party? Holy cow!" someone in the 
second row exclaimed with glee.

Next up was the Liberals' Tony Ianno, defending his seat in the 
riding. He mentioned his support for his party's proposed 
decriminalization of marijuana, then added something about how pot 
would obviously become an alternative to drinking, so we'd have to 
figure out "how to ensure if people are smoking that they're driving safely."

People looked at each other aghast. Did we hear right? Things were 
certainly looking good.

Next was Asif Hossain, candidate for the Progressive Canadian Party 
and a student at the University of Toronto.

Hossain leaned forward and declared with a grin, "As the youngest 
candidate in the room, you might assume that I smoke all the time." 
Cheers, applause. "But I don't." That being said, he added that he 
believes in civil liberties, so bring it on.

More applause, hoots.

Suddenly, the mood in the room turned dark as Conservative candidate 
Sam Goldstein, seething in his seat, took his turn. Pointing a 
menacing finger at the crowd, he chastised them for wanting 
candidates to control gun crime in their city, while wanting to 
legalize a drug that was causing the gang warfare on their streets.

"You are supporting gang violence in this city!" he roared. The crowd 
erupted in anger, shaking their fists as he continued to vent his disgust.

The moderator banged on the podium to stop the commotion and finally 
the next candidate, the New Democratic Party's Olivia Chow, was able to speak.

"Well," she said. "I'm surprised it has taken so long and still 
nothing has been done."

More applause.

Finally, the seventh and final candidate was able to speak -- Thom 
Chapman of the Green party, a young man who plays chess in his spare time.

The room waited in silence and then he said, "I'm sorry, I forgot the 
question."

He got the biggest laugh of all.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom