cannabisnews.com: Most Albertans Back Pot Prohibition Most Albertans Back Pot Prohibition Posted by FoM on June 25, 2001 at 08:25:07 PT By Timothy Le Riche, Edmonton Sun Source: Edmonton Sun Keep your stash well hidden, as Albertans are the least likely Canadians to weed out pot laws, a survey suggests. The Leger Marketing study found only about 37% of Albertans favour legalization of marijuana for personal use, compared to 53% in Quebec, 52% in B.C., 46% in Ontario, 45% in the Maritimes and 37.4% in Manitoba and Sask-atchewan. Overall, about 47% of Canadians favour legalization while the same amount are against it, the survey showed. "I would think support would be higher, even," said Matt Gemmell, manager of True North Hemp Co. on Whyte Avenue. "Most everybody is pro-legalization. They think it's an invasion of privacy." However, Gemmell said there is a continuing debate between legalization and decriminalization - the latter would treat pot under rules similar to alcohol. Leger surveyed 1,507 people across the country between June 5 and 13. The national results are considered accurate within plus or minus 2.6 percentage points 19 times out of 20. "What this poll suggests is that the government doesn't necessarily have a blank cheque," Jean-Marc Leger, president of Leger Marketing, said in an interview. "It might be acceptable to the population but it will also take a certain dose of courage by politicians if they want to legalize it, because it's not accepted by everyone in the same way," Leger said. The questions did not distinguish between the use of pot for medicinal purposes and its recreational use. Leger noted previous polls have indicated strong support for the use of medicinal marijuana. In April, Health Minister Allan Rock announced new rules to allow certain people with terminal or serious illnesses to use pot to ease their suffering. The move has met with little opposition and is to take effect by the end of July. But the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police are among those to have called on Ottawa to take the bolder step of decriminalizing the possession of marijuana for any kind of personal use. Tory Leader Joe Clark recently called for the decriminalization of the simple possession of small amounts of dope. But a proposal in Red Deer to cut police costs by decriminalizing small amounts of pot won't get past Ottawa, says a federal Crown prosecutor. It costs $2,000 to $3,000 to convict someone in court for having pot, far more than if a cop wrote a ticket. "Anyone caught with 30 grams or less of marijuana would face a fine, not a criminal record," said Steve Cross, chairman of the central Alberta city's policing committee. The police committee hopes to debate the idea tomorrow. Note: Opposition to marijuana legalization highest here.Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB)Author: Timothy Le Riche, Edmonton SunPublished: Monday, June 25, 2001 Copyright: 2001, Canoe Limited PartnershipContact: sun.letters ccinet.ab.caWebsite: http://www.canoe.ca/EdmontonSun/Related Articles & Web Site:Canadian Linkshttp://freedomtoexhale.com/can.htmCanadians Divided on Legalization of Marijuana http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10144.shtmlMost See Marijuana as Health Hazardhttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10089.shtmlCanadians Lean Toward Easing Marijuana Lawshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/thread10076.shtml Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #2 posted by Wild Card on July 25, 2001 at 02:21:56 PT: we should legalize it...!!!! The reason why I think that it should be legalized is 1) lots of sick needs it an will be depeneded on it, 2) if we do legalize it then we can get rid of the dept that Canada owes to the war, after all governements will probably tax it once and if it does get legalized. 3) what's the big issue of the so called drug?? have you seen anyone or know of anyone who has been influneced an has gotten into an accident compared to the alcohol statistics?? 4) it would also free up the jails for more real crimanals i.e. murders an robberies, etc etc... the more serious crimes! an besides who here has overdoesed on the drug?? i can't think of anyone in my mind who may or may not have died from this type of "drug" its put here for us to use as it grows, so it must mean that it has some health benifits.... so why not legalize it??? I'll do whatever it takes to help legalize it! well that's all from me... enjoy you're day, an think it carefully when making your dessisions fairwell folks!Wild Card! [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by Swagman on June 25, 2001 at 21:29:29 PT Bastards! I live in the most backward part of the country! Oh well, let's hope the hicks all come around. [ Post Comment ] Post Comment