Pubdate: Wed, 01 Oct 2003
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 The Edmonton Journal
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/edmonton/edmontonjournal/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Tom Barrett, with files from Janice Tibbets, CanWest News Service
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

PROVINCE PANS FEDERAL STANCE ON POT BILL

Opposition Groups Should Be Consulted First: Solicitor General

EDMONTON - Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth says she's frustrated 
with the federal government's refusal to budge or consult others on the 
decriminalization of marijuana possession.

Forsyth believes decriminalization is inconsistent with the federal 
position that organized crime increasingly controls the grow operations and 
sale of the drug in this country.

"To me there is a serious disconnect in their logic. Why say it's a very 
serious offence to grow it or sell it, but it's OK to smoke it?" she asked 
Tuesday, after discussing the issue at a conference of federal and 
provincial ministers in Quebec.

She said she asked federal officials to consult with high-profile 
organizations that oppose decriminalization, such as the Canadian Police 
Association.

But after Tuesday's talks it is clear the government will go ahead with 
plans to remove possession of small amounts of marijuana from the Criminal 
Code of Canada, she said.

"We all know that this is tied to organized crime and we have a huge 
problem with organized crime in this country.

"B.C is finding some of their marijuana is laced with cocaine and heroin 
and the province is becoming known as the Colombia of the north," she said.

Alberta, Ontario and Quebec also have serious problems with the expansion 
of large-scale marijuana grow operations.

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon did promise Tuesday to take "a 
serious look" at toughening his bill to decriminalize marijuana so that 
Canadians who are repeatedly caught possessing pot will be criminally 
charged rather than ticketed.

The federal minister offered the concession at the urging of his provincial 
counterparts, most of whom, like Forsyth, oppose marijuana 
decriminalization and want Ottawa to abandon the proposed legislation.

"The question of repeat offenders has been raised. If it happens two, 
three, or four times, what are we going to do," Cauchon said.

"If we can do something with that question of repeat offenders, we'll have 
a serious look at it."

The legislation, which Cauchon hopes to pass before Christmas, proposes to 
decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less so that people would be fined 
from $100 to $400 instead of being criminally charged. Police estimate that 
is the equivalent of about 15 joints.

"To move ahead with tickets, it is something that has been in place in 
other countries, it's been proven as well to be efficient," said Cauchon. 
The government's premise is that police should not be using their resources 
pursuing small-time offenders, nor should people caught with marijuana for 
their own use be saddled with criminal records.

The possible concession comes after Cauchon has retreated from a plan to 
decriminalize 30 grams or less instead of 15.

Forsyth said she was also disappointed to learn federal officials had made 
almost no progress on plans to deal with drug-impaired drivers.

"We know that usage is on the rise and that the marijuana on the street 
today is much stronger than it once was, that it contains far more THC," 
she said.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager