Pubdate: Sat, 07 Jun 2003
Source: Victoria Times-Colonist (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Times Colonist
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/victoria/timescolonist/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/481
Author: Axel Brock-Miller
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

NEW POT LAWS WILL PUT MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL

With regard to the decriminalization of possession of a small amount of 
marijuana, two observations must be made.

The first is one that Solicitor General Rich Coleman approached in his 
press comments, but did not quite reach: That de-criminalization may result 
in putting more people in jail.

That happened in California and other states in the U.S. that have 
decriminalization. While previously police used discretion and often just 
issued a formal caution, now, in California, almost all cases result in 
fines being imposed.

But a very large percentage of these fines are not getting paid, eventually 
resulting in larger numbers of people being taken into custody for 
non-payment of fines than previously for possession.

The second observation that needs to be made is that imposition of fines 
will make it much easier for well-off persons and their children to smoke 
marijuana than for the poor and down-and-out. Not very democratic or social.

Axel Brock-Miller, Langford.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager