Pubdate: Sat, 31 May 2003
Source: Winnipeg Sun (CN MB)
Contact:  2003 Canoe Limited Partnership
Website: http://www.fyiwinnipeg.com/winsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/503
Author: Jonathan Colford 
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)
Note: Parenthetical remark by the Sun editor.

ANOTHER LIBERAL FOULUP? 

Let me get this straight. The federal Liberals are going to replace jail
with fines for having 15 grams or less of marijuana. And they're going to
spend $240 million on a program to get kids to stop smoking it. Unless
they're going to crack down like meter maids and issue fines left and right
to pay for this, I smell another Liberal boondoggle here. In some twisted
way I think this could reduce consumption. 

If the police aren't arresting kids because no one feels getting caught
smoking a joint is worth a criminal record, then the cops will probably
start handing out the fines, and anyone who walks around with 15 joints can
afford the $100 (or their father can). 

So, as long as we still say that doing drugs is wrong and against the law,
I'm fine with the fines. The goal is curbing consumption and if the fines
can do that, whereas jail has failed, then great. If the cops aren't giving
out tickets, then the new law will be another Liberal waste of money and
time. 

Jonathan Colford 

Edmonton 

(The new law is far too complicated.)
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MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk