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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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CN NS: Premier Takes Stand On Marijuana Issue
ccguide Monday 30 Dec 2002 Pubdate: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 Source: Daily News, The (CN NS) Copyright: 2002 The Daily News Contact: Website: http://www.canada.com/halifax/dailynews/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/179 PREMIER TAKES STAND ON MARIJUANA ISSUE Like Santa Claus, Premier John Hamm left a couple of items under the Nova Scotia media tree on Christmas Eve. One was his announcement that his spinal-fusion surgery was successful. This was his second back operation in 2002, and hopefully, the medical procedures he has undergone will give him a measure of relief from his condition. We wish him well in his recovery. The premiers second offering was his opinion on the medical use of marijuana. Mr. Hamm, who was a family doctor before he was elected to Province House, spoke more as a physician than a politician as he came out in favour of prescribed pot. Unlike those who believe more clinical trials are necessary to confirm marijuanas value in the amelioration of chronic pain and other physical problems, the premier stated that it is apparent now that it (marijuana) has medical benefits, and therefore, it should be handled the way we handle any other medication that comes on the market. However, Mr. Hamm drew a careful distinction between medical and street use of cannabis. He emphasized that he does not advocate the legalization of marijuana. But he does favour decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of the substance. That position puts him on the same page as federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, who has stated his intent to table decriminalization legislation during the coming year. Political reality was the reason both Mr. Hamm and Mr. Cauchon stopped short of endorsing a Senate committees report that recommended full legalization of pot. Unlike premiers and MPs, Senators do not have to worry about getting re-elected. Macleans year-end poll suggests that almost half the public favours decriminalization not quite a majority. Legalization is still too long a leap for most Canadians. That caution is understandable. As Mr. Hamm put it, some prescription drugs, such as morphine and dilaudid, are effective in a controlled medical setting, but can be catastrophic in a non-medical environment. The continuing hesitation to free marijuana from legal sanctions is based on the suspicion that pot, like morphine, has qualities that are dangerous as well as beneficial the old reefer madness scare that dates back to the early years of the last century. Until that fear abates, Premier Hamms approach to marijuana is probably the most practical and even-handed take on the matter. - --- MAP posted-by: Tom
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