Pubdate: Tue, 13 May 2003
Source: Medicine Hat News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 Alberta Newspaper Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.medicinehatnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1833
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

TOP COPS FIRED UP

LETHBRIDGE, Alta. (CP) -- Alberta police chiefs meeting in Lethbridge this 
week aren't fans of a looser pot possession law proposed by the federal 
government.

"We are absolutely against decriminalization," said Camrose police Chief 
Marshall Chalmers, president of the Alberta Association of Chiefs of 
Police. "We believe it's absolutely sending the wrong message."

Lethbridge police are co-hosting the three-day conference, which brings 
together top officers from the province's seven municipal and tribal police 
services as well as RCMP officials.

Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth is scheduled to address the 
chiefs Wednesday evening. Decriminalization of possession of small amounts 
of marijuana is just one of dozens of issues expected to be discussed 
during the conference that begins on Tuesday.

Medicine Hat Police Chief Normand Boucher has previously spoken up against 
the move to decriminalization, sentiments that were echoed by Chalmers on 
Monday.

"The Liberals seem to be hell-bent on this issue, and we don't have to 
agree with it," Chalmers said.

Last weekend federal Health Minister Anne McLellan gave qualified support 
for forthcoming federal legislation expected to decriminalize possession of 
marijuana in amounts less than 15 grams. She said such a move must be 
accompanied by a new national drug strategy of education, information and 
treatment.
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager