Pubdate: Sat, 23 Sep 2000 Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC) Copyright: The Vancouver Sun 2000 Contact: 200 Granville Street, Ste.#1, Vancouver BC V6C 3N3 Fax: (604) 605-2323 Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/ Authors: Glenn Bohn, Peter O'Neil and Scott Simpson, Vancouver Sun DAY, MPS SPLIT OVER MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION AT ODDS: Randy White advocates fines but no jail for marijuana possession. AT ODDS: John Reynolds would support constituents' wishes. AT ODDS: Keith Martin says Canada should follow the Swiss example and decriminalize. Some Canadian Alliance MPs from British Columbia say they want to reduce or eliminate Criminal Code penalties for marijuana, but not their leader Stockwell Day. Day, who smoked pot in his youth, says he won't use his clout as opposition leader to initiate a debate on drug legalization. He also says he would neither initiate nor support a proposal to legalize drugs like heroin and cocaine as a way of cutting off profits and power from organized crime. However, Day acknowledges that prohibition of alcohol in the early 20th century didn't stop people from drinking and served only to greatly empower organized crime. "I appreciate the argument related to [alcohol] prohibition," Day (Okanagan-Coquihalla) told The Vancouver Sun. "But when you think about what that would mean in terms of cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin -- the effects of which are devastating -- I just can't see a government being in a place to advocate or condone something so destructive." Earlier this week, Day said he favoured a House of Commons debate to consider matters raised in a recent series of articles, published in Southam newspapers, that argued in favour of drug legalization. "The Canadian Alliance position is clearly to allow for that legalization related to the alleviation of pain and for medicinal purposes," Day said Monday. The Sun called the Ottawa offices of all 24 Alliance MPs from B.C. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and put these two questions to Alliance MPs: If there's a free vote, will you support the legalization of street drugs for medicinal purposes? If so, which drugs? Eleven of the 24 MPs didn't respond or refused to answer the questions. Keith Martin, the only Canadian Alliance MP from B.C. who is a medical doctor, said people who use marijuana should be fined, not jailed. Martin (Esquimalt--Juan de Fuca) proposed the decriminalization initiative a year ago in a private member's bill. Money saved in reduced police and court costs would go toward drug treatment and prevention programs, he said. Martin said Canada should learn from Switzerland, "where they dealt with drug users from a medical perspective, not a criminal perspective," by getting them out of a substance abuse environment and offering counselling, skills training and jobs. "Our process of putting someone in detox and then putting them back on to the streets is an abysmal failure," said Martin, who has worked in detoxification programs for 12 years. Alliance justice critic Randy White said he is drafting his party's drug policy and hopes it will recommend no jail time for those caught with less than 30 grams of marijuana. However, those caught with small amounts should still be subject to fines under the Criminal Code, he said. "We have no agenda to decriminalize marijuana," White (Langley-Abbotsford) said. Police should be free to focus on the use of more serious street drugs, he said. "I have seen young girls shooting up between their toes because there's no other place to shoot up," he said. "And when you watch that, you think, 'My God, why are we thinking of this little marijuana thing when there are parents out there agonizing over their kids just doing this all day long?'" Chuck Cadman (Surrey North) said he'd support decriminalization of possession of small amounts of marijuana, but would not favour legalization of any street drugs. Cadman said he'd support summary convictions, similar to traffic tickets, for simple possession -- but only in concert with heavier penalties and a greater commitment to investigation and prosecution of pot growers and traffickers. Former justice critic John Reynolds (West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast) said surveys of his constituents have found strong support for decriminalization of marijuana for personal use, and legalization for medicinal use -- adding that he'd support their wishes in a free vote. Reynolds was less supportive of legalization of heroin and other illicit drugs, but noted heroin is already used in some instances in palliative care. Val Meredith (South Surrey--White Rock) said she'd support a free vote only after an extensive national debate in which the public's wishes were determined. She said the debate should proceed now, and include an examination of costs to society, courts, police and other agencies of continuing with the current policies, and the ramifications of change. Meredith said a recent mail-in poll of her constituents found that of 2,376 respondents, 1,893 or almost 80 per cent supported the legalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes. She said 450 people or 19 per cent were opposed while only 33 people, 1.39 per cent, had no opinion. A smaller majority, about 55 per cent, also supported decriminalization for non-medicinal use in cases involving quantities of 30 grams or less. "I think Canadians are ready to have this discussion . . . and to have the facts put on the table. You will need the support of Canadians if you want something to work." Ted White (North Vancouver), direct democracy critic for the Alliance, said he'd have to consult his constituents before saying if he'd support decriminalization. But White said he believes that, if it came to a referendum, a majority of B.C. residents would support decriminalization. White said the party's policy on free votes is clear -- Alliance MPs are obligated to consult with residents of their ridings and establish the public's will. "If my constituents told me they wanted me to vote for decriminalization of certain street drugs in a free vote I would do it because I am their servant," he said. "It wouldn't matter what I think of it personally." Philip Mayfield (Cariboo-Chilcotin) said he is opposed to relaxation of criminal sanctions against drug use, though he supports Health Canada's current policy of issuing permits for those wanting to use marijuana for medicinal purposes. "If a doctor says that's a good way to go, I can't see standing in the way of a professional who wants to do their job." Mike Scott (Skeena) and Jay Hill (Prince George-Peace River) both said they consider legalization or decriminalization of drugs a moral issue that should be decided by constituents. "I would take great pains to poll my constituents and vote according to the will of the majority," Scott said. John Duncan (Vancouver Island North) said he is personally in favour of decriminalization of marijuana use but believes drug trafficking should remain illegal. Duncan added that so-called harder drugs such as heroin and cocaine should continue to be illegal -- adding that he'd oppose legalization of marijuana because he doesn't want Canada to become a tourist destination for pot users. Gary Lunn (Saanich-Gulf Islands) said he's uncomfortable with decriminalization of marijuana because it might send the wrong message to children. Lunn, a lawyer, said marijuana is the starting point for people who go on to use harder drugs, including heroin, and he wouldn't want to make it easier for children to head down that road. MP Jim Gouk (Kootenay--Boundary--Okanagan) said he doesn't support the legalization of street drugs, "because there are so many impure drugs out there and so many problems." Gouk, a former air traffic controller and owner of a residential construction company, said he "would certainly be open" to the decriminalization of marijuana for medicinal purposes, after hearing the medical arguments and finding out what safeguards would be in place. MP Jim Abbott (Kootenay-Columbia) said he would vote against legalizing drugs if a vote were held in the Commons. "I don't need to take it to my constituents," said Abbott. "I know their views on the subject." - --- MAP posted-by: Don Beck