Pubdate: Thu, 04 Nov 2004 Source: Province, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2004 The Province Contact: http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) IN OTHER WORDS - EASE UP ON CASUAL POTHEADS The Senlis Council An international drug-policy think tank welcomed Canada's long-awaited move toward reforming cannabis laws, saying we're a step closer to addressing problems related to our ineffective and costly policies. The proposed legislation would amend the Contraventions Act and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, so that casual cannabis smokers and young people caught with less than 15 grams of marijuana would not face a jail sentence or a criminal record, but would receive a fine of $150 for adults and $100 for youth. However, penalties for the possession of larger quantities will be harsher than before. Emmanuel Reinert, Executive Director of the Senlis Council, warned that the proposed bill still contains deficiencies and will need to be improved during deliberation in the House of Commons, expected in two weeks. An estimated 600,000 Canadians have criminal records for marijuana possession. The Canadian Medical Association estimates that 1.5 million Canadians smoke it recreationally. The council said the current system of criminal penalties for personal use has not countered the steady increase of cannabis use among Canadians, especially the young, and it creates large financial costs for the criminal justice system, using funds that would be better spent on health care. "The Canadian government must not succumb to pressure from the United States, which advocates the conventional tough line on drug use," said Reinert. "Canada must avoid being coerced into maintaining a system based on the application of heavier criminal sanctions in order to deter drug consumption." - --- MAP posted-by: Derek