LEGAL POT: THE VIEW ON THE STREET

Q. Do you think marijuana should be legalized and taxed?

Dean Ropchan, 24, musician.

"Definitely. I don't think anyone who smokes marijuana should be a
criminal. I don't believe in decriminalization. I think legalization
is a way to control a substance than push a substance into the alleys."

Sarah Fulton, 21, student.

"I think it is a good idea, but obviously there a lot of things to do
first like in terms of where would they sell it and to whom and would
you need a prescription."

Peter Bright, 37, project manager.

"I think they should capture the revenues coming out of B.C. It is a
couple billion dollar industry, so if you can make half a billion, why
not?"

Dan Green, 40, commercial property manager.

"I think it is a great idea. It seems to work OK in Europe and I think
it works to prevent crime, to prevent people from going to stronger
drugs; tax it -- I think that is a great idea."

Leslie Stark, 37, physician from Denver, Colo.

"I think it is a reasonable idea and I really think the
criminalization of it is sort of a waste of resources in terms of law
enforcement, etc."

Cynthia Moore, 43, investment broker.

"I don't think people who are casual users should necessarily have a
criminal record, but I am not really in favour of complete
legalization either because I don't use drugs, but I have sympathy for
those who need it for medical reasons."

Jeremy Albright, 29, Calgary Board of Education employee.

"I just don't think marijuana should be legalized; that's the bottom
line. It is a narcotic and I don't approve of any drug use in any
shape or form."

Lois Bruiners, 71, retired.

"If it is illegal already, I am against it, but I don't know if it
would be better if it was legalized, except maybe for medical
purposes, but I think it has gotten out of hand."

Rick Kowalchuk, 48, systems analyst.

"I would rather not see it done. I think it sends the wrong message
and I think it's still a dangerous drug and it should be kept illegal."

Patrick Vezina, 27, artist's assistant.

"I am stuck 50/50 on it. It's another vice that society can use and
make money off of people's weaknesses, but at the same time it is a
very good drug, helping people who are sick with chronic disease and
it is a good form of pain relief."