Pubdate: Tue, 10 Jun 2003 Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal (Canada) Copyright: 2003 Canadian Medical Association Contact: http://www.cmaj.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/754 Author: Patrick Sullivan CMA ISSUES MARIJUANA WARNING As the federal government prepared legislation to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana this spring, the CMA "strongly advised" Canadians against using the drug. The legislation, expected to be tabled by the end of May, will probably make possession of less than 15 g of marijuana a minor offence that results in a ticket, not a court appearance. Possession of more than 30 g will likely remain a criminal offence, while police would have the discretion to lay a charge or issue a ticket for people possessing 15-30 g. The CMA says "it is critical that any change to the legal status of marijuana neither encourage nor promote the normalization of its use." Richard Garlick, director of communications at the Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse, says international experience indicates that no spike in usage is likely following decriminalization. This has been true for Holland and 11 US states that have made the move. Marijuana use has been banned in Canada since 1923. In 2000, more than 30 000 Canadians were charged with possession. Convictions rarely result in a jail sentence, but anyone convicted earns a criminal record. The CMA says that even though a criminal conviction for possessing a small amount of marijuana is disproportionate to the offence, marijuana remains "an addictive substance known to have adverse health effects." President Dana Hanson says a comprehensive national drug strategy is the key. "Addiction is a disease and individuals suffering from it should be diverted, whenever possible, from the criminal justice system to treatment and rehabilitation." Garlick says the centre, an arm's-length federal agency, supports this approach. "People make the mistake of equating decriminalization with legalization. We have to make clear that it is still illegal and at the same time deal with issues such as treatment." - --- MAP posted-by: Alex