LEGALIZING POT SENDS WRONG MESSAGE, SAY CALGARY MP'S

Decriminalizing marijuana would be a step backwards, sending young
people the message that smoking weed is no worse than smoking a
cigarette, say some Calgary MP's.

In a recent survey of local MP's by the Herald, some Reformers were
strongly against legalization of marijuana, while others agreed with a
recent call for clinical trials to determine the medical benefits of
the weed.

"I think we have to apply the test - what fruit will it bear?" said
Rob Anders, MP for Calgary West.

Many AIDS and cancer patients say smoking pot helps them cope with the
often painful effects of chemical therapies, prompting the Federal
government to pass a motion presented by the Bloc Quebecois Tuesday.

It called for the government to `take steps immediately' to develop
clinical trials and guidelines for people who use the substance for
pain relief. Legalization of marijuana is being considered as part of
the process.

The decision follows a call by police chiefs and the RCMP, asking the
federal government to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana. It
recommended giving police officers the option of ticketing people with
30 grams or less of marijuana, sparing them a criminal record.

It is expected Health Minister Allan Rock will publicize a plan for
legalizing medicinal pot before the House breaks for the summer,
possibly as early as June 9.

But Anders argues, "if we allow smoking for medicinal purposes, we
open up a whole spectrum of people growing weed."

He suggests it may be possible to come up with a pill or suppository
which contains THC, the active substance found in marijuana.

"There is still some science to come in on that," he
said.

Art Hanger, MP for Calgary Northeast, said there would have to be
sound evidence from the medical community showing both the public and
police forces that it isn't harmful.

"It (using marijuana) becomes dangerous, especially when combined with
alcohol," Hanger said in a telephone interview from Warsaw, Poland,
where he was attending NATO meetings this weekend. "It makes a person
incapacitated to think clearly, their judgment is completely off kilter."

As a former city police officer, Hanger said there are enough problems
with substance abuse without making pot widely available, including
criminal activity associated with its use.

By legalizing weed, "we're sending a message to young people that it
is no worse than smoking . It is certainly worse than smoking," said
Hanger.

It would have to be "clearly demonstrated that it will not lead,
especially, young people into addiction," added Jason Kenney, MP for
Calgary Southeast.

He said, however, he has mixed feelings on the issue of legalizing
pot.

`The standard for me, if this drug, in terms of medicinal use, is
necessary and has positive uses for palliative care, I wouldn't be
opposed to its use.'

Diane Ablonczy, MP for Calgary Nose Hill, said the Reform Party
supports the use of marijuana as prescribed by medical doctors when
other treatments are proven to be ineffective. She said she voted for
the motion in the House of Commons on Tuesday, noting polls show a
majority of Canadians support marijuana `as an age-old medicine with
natural qualities.'

But, Calgary Centre MP Eric Lowther said people who want marijuana
legalized are only using medical benefits as an excuse, adding there
are medications available which do `everything and more than marijuana.'