POT GAP GROWING SAYS POLL

A massive pot-smoking generation gap between Canada's young people and their
parents is widening, a new Sun-Leger poll shows.

More than a third of young adults (36%) aged 18-24 have smoked marijuana in
the past year, compared to only 8% of their parents -- those in the 35-54
age range -- according to the new survey taken in early April.

The percentage of Canadian youth who smoke marijuana -- 58% have tried it by
age 24, according to the poll -- has been continually rising since 1993 and
is now among the highest in the world.

The poll also revealed more Canadians support liberalizing laws regulating
marijuana use than oppose the moves.

Of 1,501 Canadians surveyed, 40% supported outright legalization of the use
of cannabis or decriminalizing personal possession, while another 43% backed
legalizing its medicinal consumption.

Only 14% insisted the drug should always be kept illegal.

The poll comes as federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon readies
legislation to decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana,
expected to be tabled this spring.

The bill is a response to the number of marijuana possession cases thrown
out by judges.

"In the past three to five years, we're starting to see a growing acceptance
(of liberalization), not just in the public but at the government level,
which is the most significant," said Dave Sholz, Leger's VP.

"The general perception is it's okay to have it legalized in some format."

The format that's grown in popularity is the medical use, with perceptions
of the drug altered by the government's own painstaking efforts to cultivate
cannabis underground in Flin Flon, Man., said Leger.

But there's still a strong undercurrent among Canadians running against
general legalization that would see it sold in stores, he added.

"There's still a stigma to it with that illegal context ... people say they
don't want it in their face all the time," said Leger.

A majority of those polled stated they didn't believe cannabis use would
lead to harder drugs, with 58% saying the drug would either have no effect
or would decrease the chance.

Leger said views on the "gateway drug" issue have shifted dramatically and
are crucial in marijuana's growing acceptance.

"If we were to go back 20 years or less, there was a perception if you were
a teenager smoking pot, you'd end up on the street shooting ******," he
said.

"Now it's thought to be no worse than drinking beer or (could) even be
better for you."

As for overall use of the drug, 56% of Canadians say they've never smoked
it, while 5% admitted to smoking it in the past week and 2% in the last
month.

B.C., which is seen as Canada's premier marijuana growing region, offered
the most enthusiasm for decriminalization or legalization with 52% backing.

Ontario showed the lowest support at 36%, while Alberta came in at 39%.

The poll is considered accurate to within 2.5%.



Pubdate: Sunday, April 27, 2003
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Contact: callet@sunpub.com
Website: http://www.fyicalgary.com/calsun.shtml
Author: Bill Kaufmann and Jason Botchford