Pubdate: Wed, 29 Mar 2017
Source: Observer, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2017, Sarnia Observer
Contact: http://www.theobserver.ca/letters
Website: http://www.theobserver.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1676
Author: Trevor Terfloth
Page: A2

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION QUESTIONS REMAIN

Officials discuss potential impacts

The federal government's push to legalize marijuana, with the
potential of this occurring as soon as next year, has law enforcement
and health officials planning to deal with the impacts.

Following the recommendations of a government-appointed task force,
the aim is to ensure the safety and security of the marijuana supply.

Canada's provinces would also be allowed to determine how it is
distributed and sold.

OPP Const. Jay Denorer, of the Chatham-Kent detachment in the Western
Region, said police will continue to enforce the legislation as it's
currently written until there are any changes.

"We don't make the laws, we just uphold what they are," he said
Tuesday. "The OPP does not support the decriminalization or
legislation of marijuana usage. Our position is marijuana is a harmful
drug that should not be legal."

Denorer said there isn't a roadside screening device in use at this
point to detect the substance in motorists.

But there are officers who are trained as drug recognition evaluators,
he said.

"Any officer will know if there's an impairment," Denorer said. "If we
don't smell the common indicators of alcohol, but I see that your eyes
are glossy, your pupils are dilated, you're not speaking coherently,
and I suspect there's drug use, I can call out what we have as a
standard field sobriety test."

He said this test can be done at the scene, or an officer can arrest
the driver for impairment and bring them back to the detachment for an
evaluation.

Denorer said there is also a pilot project in the works for an oral
fluid screening device between the OPP and six other police services.

In addition to marijuana, he said motorists need to be careful in
ensuring they're not impaired by prescription drugs.

"It's a legal drug that's been prescribed to them, but you still have
to follow the labels and understand what they're saying," Denorer
said. "If you shouldn't be driving, you shouldn't be driving."

The Chatham-Kent Police Service has one constable who is a drug
recognition evaluator, said Const. Kelly Helbin.

She said there are two screening devices currently being tested by
larger police services, but they've haven't yet been deployed.

"(They're) only being tested at this time and not in use by officers,"
she said.

Dr. David Colby, Chatham-Kent's medical officer of health, said he
takes a neutral position on cannabis.

"I think that cannabis is a lot more benign than a lot of the other
substances that we tolerate very well in society," he said.

Colby said the main harm comes from the inhalation of the smoke. He
also said it needs to be determined what the risks are to younger users.

"There's some evidence there that it's not as benign in young users,"
he said. "That's what we need to make sure is front row centre with
public messaging."

He said there are debates in many countries as to the benefits and
disadvantages of restrictions on marijuana.

"There are people who think we need more restrictions to deal with
that, and other people who think we need less," Colby said.
"Ultimately, this will be decided by our lawmakers, and experts like
me will be asked for our opinions rather than making the rules."
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MAP posted-by: Matt