Pubdate: Fri, 13 Dec 2002
Source: Toronto Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 The Toronto Star
Contact:  http://www.thestar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456
Author: Tonda MacCharles

MPS PUSH FOR LOOSER LAWS ON POT POSSESSION

Carrying Around 30 Joints Would Merit Ticket, Fine U.S. Drug Czar
Warns Canada Against Move

OTTAWA—They couldn't say how many "joints" 30 grams of marijuana produces, 
but a Commons committee of MPs recommended yesterday Canadians should be 
able to grow and carry around that much for "personal use" at risk only of 
a ticket and fine, not a criminal record.

Under recommendations that immediately drew fire from the top drug official 
in the United States, marijuana would remain an illegal substance, and 
"trafficking" in any amount would remain a crime.

But the majority of the Liberal-dominated committee, in an echo of a Senate 
committee report and recent comments by Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, 
said enforcement of current criminal laws against simple possession is 
expensive, uneven, "unfair and wasteful" and stigmatizes young people with 
a criminal record for life.

The head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, John 
Walters, warned Canada yesterday border security would be tightened further 
if the federal government relaxed its criminal laws on possession marijuana.

"We do not need on either side of the border more of our citizens harmed," 
Walters told a news conference in Buffalo, N.Y.

Cauchon, who this week said he may introduce legislation on 
decriminalization early next year, said yesterday the government would 
toughen enforcement efforts on organized crime and commercial traffickers.

"We're not talking about making it legal. It's something different. ... We 
will have to look into the question of the quantity. We're talking about 
simple possession. But one point which is important, we're talking about 
being tougher as regards to drug smuggling, drug trafficking and 
distribution as well."

The Canadian Alliance, in a minority dissenting report, warned 
decriminalization of even 30 grams — which it estimated equals about 30 
small "joints" or marijuana cigarettes — amounts to legalizing use and 
trafficking of the drug.

It said a more reasonable threshold for decriminalization would be five 
grams, or enough for about five or six "joints" — the amount MP Kevin 
Sorenson (Crowfoot) said is legally sold for personal consumption in cafe's 
in the Netherlands.

"We are not looking at giving criminal records to every single person who 
has a joint or two in their pocket," said MP Randy White (Langley-Abbotsford).

"However, if you can wander around with 20 to 30 marijuana joints for 
so-called personal use, you have to wonder when personal possession becomes 
trafficking. Tell that to parents of high school students who will now see 
pushers who can carry 30 joints around with them, risking no greater fine 
than they would get if they got a speeding ticket."

The committee headed by Liberal MP Paddy Torsney (Burlington) said 
marijuana smokers or growers caught with an amount over 30 grams would be 
issued a ticket, pay a fine without a court appearance, and possibly risk 
losing something "substantial" like a driver's licence if they fail to pay 
the fine.

The committee also recommended more drug prevention and education programs 
on the risk of marijuana use.

The Commons committee's recommendations did not go as far as the NDP 
wanted, or as far as a Senate committee did in September when it called for 
a national drug strategy that would legalize cannabis use by all Canadian 
residents over 16.

NDP MP Libby Davies (Vancouver East) agreed personal use should be 
legalized, and yesterday issued a minority report that called for an 
amnesty for the estimated 600,000 Canadians who now have criminal 
convictions for simple possession.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart