Pubdate: Mon, 11 May 2009 Source: Intelligencer, The (CN ON) Page: 3 Copyright: 2009, Osprey Media Group Inc. Contact: http://www.intelligencer.ca/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx Website: http://www.intelligencer.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2332 Author: Emma Koehle Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) LEGALIZING POT FOCUS OF SESSION To Legalize It Or Not -- At An Upcoming Event In Downtown Belleville The public is invited to join in on a "session of conversation" May 21 at 7 p. m. regarding the issues surrounding the use of marijuana. Representatives from National Organization to Reform Marijuana Laws (NORML) will be visiting the Organic Underground on Front Street on a national fact finding tour. Local supporters of the "National Resolution for the Legalization of Marijuana panel" Gary Magwood and Mike Baranik have helped to organize the event. "What I'm hoping to achieve is to educate the public about marijuana," said Baranik. A panel of well-informed marijuana activists have been invited to speak at the event including Lynne Belle Isle, an epidemiologist for the Canadian AIDs Society; Dr. Craig Jones, director of the John Howard Society of Canada; Al Graham, from Marijuana Awareness; and Magwood, coordinator of public and media relations for the Green Party of Canada Prince Edward-Hastings federal riding. Discussions will include topics such as marijuana's effect on health - -- both the benefits and adverse effects, the legalization of marijuana in certain U. S. states as well as the recent legalization of all drugs in Portugal, and the history of the prohibition of drugs. "I have no grand illusions about changing the law," said Baranik. "We want to encourage a healthy debate at this session." Baranik invites both supporters and those that are anti-drug to join in this dialectic and to voice their own opinions. More information is available by calling Magwood at 613-966-1389. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom