Pubdate: Wed, 04 Mar 2015
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Edmonton Journal
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Mark Kennedy
Page: A10

TORIES MULL TICKETING FOR POT POSSESSION

OTTAWA - With just 12 weeks left before Parliament shuts down for an
election, the Conservative government is considering introducing a
bill to let police issue tickets to people caught with small amounts
of marijuana, instead of laying criminal charges.

The potential legislative change is in the hands of Justice Minister
Peter MacKay, who has spoken strongly about the dangers of marijuana
use, particularly by young people.

The government has not made a final decision on the proposed change.
As well, it isn't clear if it would introduce a bill in the current
Parliament, which ends in June, or make it a campaign promise in the
fall election.

But what is significant, Tories say, is that the idea is still on the
government's "radar" as it prepares for re-election. It is looking for
a marijuana proposal to contrast with the position of Liberal Leader
Justin Trudeau, who would legalize pot.

The proposed ticketing change was advocated two years ago by the
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP).

They say police are hamstrung because they have only two options if
they find someone with a small amount of pot: ignore it and let the
person go; or lay a criminal charge that creates more paperwork for
police and increases delays in an overburdened court system.

The CACP is urging police be provided with the "discretionary option"
of issuing a ticket for simple possession of cannabis (30 grams or
less of marijuana or one gram or less of cannabis resin) in cases
where a criminal charge "would not be in the public interest."