Pubdate: Wed, 28 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 Author: Lissa Swihart POT PROPOSAL DRAWS FIRE Many noses were out of joint Tuesday due to the federal government's motion to eliminate criminal penalties for simple possession of marijuana while toughening laws against growers and dealers. Const. Brent Secondiak with the Medicine Hat Police Service said the government should be taking a hard line in all directions when it comes to drugs. "We often see that people in possession of a small quantity of marijuana, who would be dealt with more leniently under this law, are often into crack cocaine, too," said Secondiak. "Marijuana is very much a gateway drug." Under the legislation introduced by federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon, individual users could face fines while dealers and growers face harsher penalties. "We know that tough penalties work," said Secondiak. "Nobody used to wear their seat-belts and tough laws have changed that." Sgt. Murray Morton said the association of chiefs of police in Alberta has taken a hard-line stance opposing the decriminalization of marijuana. "That is also the official stance of the Medicine Hat Police Service," said Morton. He said police cannot control marijuana use now and decriminalizing it will certainly result in less control. "Where are you going to get marijuana if it's legalized? If you can go down to the drug store to get it, where does that drug store get it?" asked Morton. He said the federal government's move towards decriminalization is the opposite tactic Alberta is taking for traffic safety. By increasing traffic fines, the province hopes to decrease the number of traffic infractions. "The feds are taking the opposite approach. They think if they decriminalize marijuana they'll avoid court process." Rita Aman, program co-ordinator of smoke-free children, families and communities, said the government seems to be sending mixed messages to the public. "On the one hand, the government is tightening legislation about tobacco use and on the other, we see steps to decriminalize marijuana," said Aman. "Yet the tar in marijuana is much more dangerous than tar in cigarettes." The decriminalization of marijuana is an example of the government putting the cart before the horse, said Sylvia Takacs, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving Medicine Hat ad District. "MADD Canada would like to see the justice minister block the decriminalization of cannabis at least until there are laws in place when it comes to drug-impaired driving," said Takacs. Drug impairment is the same as alcohol impairment in its effect on motor skills and vision, said Takacs, who referenced a number of crashes where people have died or been seriously injured due to a drug-impaired driver. "I know this decriminalization topic has people on either side and I think each person should decide for themselves when it comes to marijuana use, but when you get blitzed and get behind the wheel, that becomes my business." - --- MAP posted-by: Alex