DOPE FANS AIR THEIR ENTHUSIASM

Aromatic protest held right outside drug conference

While Vancouver's mayor and police chief attended a nearby drug conference,
protesters smoked pot outside the Vancouver Art Gallery yesterday. Led by
green-haired David Malmo-Levine, advocates of legalizeing pot attending a
"smoke-in/hemp rally/love in" eagerly lit up dope handed to them. "It's
good to smoke majijuana on the inside of the crowd, not the outside - and
if you see someone being arrested and you don't think they should be, give
them a hug and don't let go," Malmo-Levine told a crowd of of more than
100. The advice was unnecessary, since no police arrived.

It was no coincidence that next door at the Robson Square Conference
Centre, an international symposium on crime prevention and drug treatment
was under way. Hosted by a coalition spear-headed by Vancouver Mayor Philip
Owen and police Chief Bruce Chambers the syumposium featured speakers from
Sweden, Switzerland, and U.S. One speaker was Attorney-General Ujjal
Dosanjh, who reiterated his call for a national drug strategy. Based on a
1994 report by a former B.C. coroner, the strategy includes mandatory life
sentences for major drug importers and traffickers. It also involves more
treatment programs for addicts and public education and awareness programs.
"I believe very strongly that we need a multifaceted approach to this
issue. There's action that needs to be taken," he said.

As for the illegal pot-smoking that took place just outside the conference
centre? "I know nothing about it," Chambers said. "It's still an offence
under the Criminal Code and, where appropriate, we will enforce it."
Malmo-Levine, 27 said more protests are planned.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski