Pubdate: Mon, 16 Dec 2002
Source: Sentinel Review (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002 Annex Publishing & Printing Inc.
Contact:  http://www.annexweb.com/sentinel
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2385
Author: Deirdre Healey

POT FINES WOULD CAUSE PROBLEMS, SAYS POLICE CHIEF

WOODSTOCK - A parliamentary recommendation to fine rather than criminally 
convict Canadians growing or carrying small amounts of marijuana could 
create more work for police, said Oxford Community Police Chief Ron Fraser.

"It could encourage grow houses. As soon as you decriminalize something, it 
encourages more use and more people trying to make money off of it."

Under recommendations, possession of up to 30 grams of marijuana would be 
treated as a regulatory offence - similar to a traffic ticket - instead of 
landing someone a criminal record. However, the drug would still remain 
illegal and trafficking in any amount would still remain a crime.

But in Fraser's experience, fines do not deter crime very effectively 
because they allow the person to get off without much of a hassle.

"If you get a fine for speeding and you are going so fast that you have to 
go to court to pay it rather than just writing a cheque right there, you 
will stop," said Fraser. "A fine is just not enough."

While the recommendation is not for legalizing marijuana, Fraser said it 
could lead to that and we are not ready.

"If this is a step towards legalization then we must take the steps to 
prevent the abuse of it. It's permissible to drink, but if you do things 
like drive under the influence then there are things in place to prevent 
that from happening. There is nothing in place if someone is going to have 
five joints and drive a car.

While Fraser says he doesn't agree with the recommendation, local resident 
Tim Berg, who has been trying to gain exemption from the government to use 
marijuana for medicinal purposes, says it is a step in the right direction.

"It's going to help because it will at least produce some meaningful 
dialogue," said Berg. "The voice has become stronger and the government has 
apparently heard it."

Berg was involved in a skydiving accident, which has left him with constant 
chronic pain.

"I get severe muscle spasm that can be immobilizing. When it's at it's 
worst, it is a sharp and shooting pain and when it's over it's very draining."

For several years now, he has been trying to get permission from the 
government to use marijuana, but he said the process is "like jumping 
through hoops."

While the recommendation is geared towards recreational users, Berg said 
any increase in tolerance is good news for everyone.

However, he doesn't think the government is any closer to legalization.

"Legalizing would imply it's a benign product and it's safe. These fines 
are a way of still maintaining the status quo."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Alex