Pubdate: Sat, 24 Nov 2007 Source: National Post (Canada) Copyright: 2007 Southam Inc. Contact: http://www.nationalpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/286 Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v07/n1351/a07.html Author: Rob Nicholson JUSTICE MINISTER RESPONDS Re: Harper's Misguided War On Pot, editorial, Nov. 23. Drug producers and dealers who threaten the safety of our communities must face tougher penalties. That is why the federal government has proposed legislative reforms to introduce mandatory jail time for serious drug offences, which is aimed at organized criminals and others who prey on our youth. Drugs lead to more petty crime, more gang violence and more risk to law enforcement officers, all of which makes our communities less safe. This government's message is clear: if you sell or produce drugs, you'll pay with mandatory jail time. Your editorial rightly points out that the production of one to 200 marijuana plants for the purpose of trafficking will result in a minimum of six months of jail time to a maximum of 14 years. But the editorial fails to take into account that the police and the judiciary will use their discretion to determine whether the amount grown is for the purpose of trafficking, and to set a sentence between six months to 14 years. Mandatory prison sentences for those who commit serious drug offences send a clear message to potential offenders: grow-ops and drug labs located in residential neighbourhoods and selling drugs to youth or trafficking near schools will not be tolerated; you will be punished. Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Ottawa. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake