Pubdate: Tue, 03 Jun 2003
Source: Port Perry Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2003 Port Perry Star Co. Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.portperrystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2533
Author: Rik Davie
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

PROPOSED POT LAWS RECEIVE MIXED REVIEWS

A proposed new Canadian marijuana law is getting mixed reviews in Durham 
Region.

Doug Cavanaugh, president of the 900-member Durham Regional Police 
Association, says that legislation being planned by Ottawa that will turn 
simple possession of marijuana into a non-criminal offense are troubling to 
many of his members.

"I am worried about what kind of a mixed message is going out with this," 
Mr. Cavanaugh said. "We in the association have always been pretty clear 
that we are not in favour of this. There are many infrastructure issues to 
be dealt with, not the least of which is how we handle impaired operation 
of a motor vehicle where marijuana may be involved."

Currently in Canada, the ability to prosecute persons for impaired driving 
where marijuana is believed to be a factor is difficult at best, according 
to some front-line police officers. One officer who deals on a regular 
basis with drug and youth complaints -- who asked not to be named because 
of the sensitive nature of his work -- told The Star that, "As a police 
officer I will enforce the laws of Canada the way I am told to do so by the 
Criminal Code.

"Having said that, I am worried that decriminalizing marijuana may, at 
worst, make young people think it is somehow now acceptable and, at best, 
send a mixed message to them about drugs in general," the officer said.

There is a little upside though, according to the veteran street cop.

"Under the new legislation, if I understand it correctly, the maximum fines 
for first-time offenders may well be higher then many of those penalties 
currently being levied by the courts," the officer said. "I hope some of 
those funds find their way back into police budgets for fighting hard drug 
dealers."

Durham MP Alex Shepherd told The Star he is "supportive" of the move to 
decriminalize simple possession.

"It will free up police to deal with drug issues of distribution and is 
reflective of the public's views," Mr. Shepherd said.

Durham MPP John O'Toole told The Star that moving the marijuana possession 
offenses to the realm of provincial offenses has a mixed meaning to him.

"The people who are calling my office are against this," Mr. O'Toole said. 
"But, they are against it because they think this is a legalization and, in 
fairness, it is not. Having said that, I see the federal government 
legalizing another substance shown to be harmful to health while we are 
dealing with the issues surrounding tobacco."

Mr. O'Toole said the public, "should have played a larger role in the 
decision process."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager