Pubdate: Tue, 10 Dec 2002
Source: Vancouver Sun (CN BC)
Copyright: 2002 The Vancouver Sun
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/vancouversun/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/477
Author: Colin Perkel, Canadian Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

ONTARIO COLD TO FEDERAL MUSINGS ON DECRIMINALIZING MARIJUANA

TORONTO  (CP)  - Federal Justice Department plans to decriminalize the 
use  of  marijuana  were  met  with  a  decidedly frosty response from 
Ontario  and  other provincial governments Tuesday. "I'm flabbergasted 
that  the  federal government has prioritized the decriminalization of 
marijuana at this time," said provincial Attorney General David Young.

"It is not a priority for this government."

On  Monday, federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon said Ottawa wanted 
to  move  quickly on the issue and could bring in legislation early in the 
new year to decriminalize pot use.

Police   chiefs   across   the   country   have   also  advocated  for 
decriminalization   but   Young,   who   admitted   to  "one  youthful 
indiscretion"  when  it comes to pot, said officers on the beat aren't in 
favour.

"I  stand  with  organized,  front-line  police  officers  across this 
country  who say that this is a serious problem, who say that revenues 
from  marijuana  go  to  organized  crime  to  finance  other criminal 
endeavours."

Ottawa  should  be  spending  its  energies on ending "the weak-kneed" 
young-offender  legislation  and  scrapping mandatory parole laws that see 
criminals leave jail after two-thirds of their sentences, he said.

Young   also  noted  that  justice  ministers  across  the  country  - 
especially  in  British  Columbia  - have expressed concerns about the 
increased  sale of pot and the proliferation of illegal grow houses to 
produce it.

Saskatchewan  Justice  Minister  Chris Axworthy said he doubted people 
would  applaud  the  initiative but said his government would poll the 
province's residents to see if there was any support.

"It  certainly  appears  to be the trend in other countries," Axworthy said.

But  Ontario  Health Minister Tony Clement jokingly suggested those on 
Parliament  Hill  behind  the  move  might  be getting surreptitiously stoned.

"We'll  check  where  that  stash  of medical marijuana went," Clement quipped.

"As  health  minister,  I'm  against  people polluting their bodies in 
whatever form that takes."

Any  bill would depend in part on a Commons committee that studied the use 
of non-medical drugs.

The   committee   apparently  plans  to  recommend  on  Thursday  that 
possession of pot should remain illegal but punishment should become a fine 
rather than a criminal record.

In an initial report, the committee said this week that heroin addicts 
in  major  cities should have safe-injection sites and needle-exchange 
programs to help stop the spread of disease.

"The term is an oxymoron," said Clement, who said treatment, rehab and 
education is what's wanted.

"I  just  can't believe the federal government wants to be on the side 
of  having  heroin  addicts  attracted to a metropolis like Toronto so they 
can shoot 'safely.' "

IV  drug  use is "bad for your body, it's bad for the individual, it's bad 
for society," Clement said.

Manitoba  Attorney  General  Gord Mackintosh said provincial ministers 
haven't discussed decriminalization in any depth and he didn't view it as a 
priority.

Instead,  he  said,  Ottawa  should  look  at the money "that is being 
wasted  on  the  gun  registry  . . .  and  divert  resources  to  the 
enforcement of an effective drug strategy."

Alberta  Justice Minister David Hancock said decriminalizing marijuana 
would  be "feeding organized crime and the criminals who make a profit from 
it."

"Some  people  say  legalizing it or decriminalizing it will take that 
away," he said. "We don't see any evidence of that."

In  September,  a  Senate committee said marijuana should be legalized for 
use by anybody over the age of 16.

The  committee  found  that  moderate use of the drug poses no serious 
long-term  dangers  for  adults  and  could  be  sold under controlled 
circumstances like liquor or in drugstores.

Ontario  Premier  Ernie  Eves,  who has admitted to smoking pot in his 
salad days, suggested the feds were floating a trial balloon but joked it 
was an "interesting revenue producing measure."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager