Pubdate: Sat, 17 May 2003 Source: Edmonton Sun (CN AB) Copyright: 2003, Canoe Limited Partnership. Contact: http://www.fyiedmonton.com/htdocs/edmsun.shtml Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/135 Author: Ajay Bhardwaj Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) COPS SAY FEDS SENDING MIXED POT MESSAGE The federal government is sending a "mixed message" by doubling the maximum penalty for anyone convicted of growing marijuana for purposes of trafficking while decriminalizing possession of small amounts of pot, says a top cop. "That doesn't send a mixed message, does it?" said Edmonton Staff Sgt. Peter Ratcliff, president of the Edmonton Police Association. "Police officers, in general, figure that thing is going way, way, way too fast, the whole decriminalization thing. It's almost like they're catering to a certain, very small percentage of the people out there who are actively smoking pot." The feds plan to introduce a law increasing the maximum penalty for illegal pot growers to 14 years. The act would also make possession of under 15 grams of marijuana a non-criminal offence punishable by a fine of $150 for adults. If the offender possesses between 15 and 30 grams, police would decide whether to issue a ticket or lay a criminal charge. Possession of over 30 grams would be a criminal offence. "They haven't given this a whole lot of thought," Ratcliff said, adding the police association hasn't been consulted on the new pot bill. "They haven't thought about all of the other social implications .. the impaired driving, what do you do if a guy is smoking up at work?" Det. Clayton Sach of the city police drug control section "Green Team" agreed the feds are sending a mixed message but said he'd like to crack down on growers who make profits. "You're telling people you can consume it but how can you consume it if you can't get it?" said Sach. Sgt. Chris Hayden of the Edmonton Police Service, said the chief - and Canadian Association of Police Chiefs - disagree with decriminalizing marijuana. "But they do support a national drug strategy, which is in fact prevention and education," said Hayden. "Anything that can give us more teeth in the enforcement angle for the people that cultivate for the purpose of trafficking, we would definitely support." The bill is expected to be introduced after Parliament returns after May 26. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh