Jennifer Geens
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (July 25/05) - The answer to Nunavut's substance abuse problems lies in a small green leaf called marijuana, says Greg deVries.

DeVries, the founder of Nunavut's chapter of the Marijuana Party of Canada, has thrown his hat in the ring for the next federal election.

The Marijuana Party's sole policy calls for the legalization of cannabis.

"You cannot solve a problem with the same mind that created it," says deVries. "We've got to use something different."

He said legalization would remove pot's "shameful stigma" and allow teachers and the police to educate people about its responsible use. A recovered alcoholic, deVries said marijuana is a safe alternative to liquor.

"I know firsthand what the damages can be from alcohol," said deVries. "And we not only promote it, we make it easier to get. Anybody can buy it, drink it, and as soon as they do they start beating up their wives, breaking into places, women pass out and get abused. I don't care how much pot you smoke, none of that happens.

"If we could get rid of alcohol and bring in marijuana, our crime rate would go to just about zero."

Originally from Ontario, deVries has lived in Iqaluit since 2001. He is now a counsellor and traditional healer.

"I'm not just a drug crazed old hippie," said deVries. "I'm middle aged. I'm not a hopeless addict. I've raised a family and I'm raising a family. I'm responsible in the community and I've worked very hard to try and help a lot of people."

DeVries was philosophical about how many votes he could expect to garner in the next election.

"This isn't about me and it isn't about marijuana. It's about adapting. If 80 to 90 per cent of the population in Nunavut smoke pot, why don't we take advantage of it?"

DeVries figures Nunavummiut spend $60 million on pot from organized grow ops down south, and $30 to $40 million on the justice system's effort to combat weed.

In his vision, legalization would spur industry in Nunavut, such as greenhouses, which could produce food for communities as well as hemp.

DeVries said if elected he would ask constituents how he should vote on other controversial issues.