Pubdate: Wed, 04 Jun 2003 Source: Mississauga News (CN ON) Copyright: The Mississauga News 2003 Contact: http://www.mississauganews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/268 Author: Declan Finucane Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?224 (Cannabis and Driving) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) TOP COP BLOWS OFF LAX POT LAWS Decriminalizing pot will endanger Mississauga children and increase crime, the Region's top cop told City council Wednesday. Peel Regional Police Chief Noel Catney said costly changes to police programs and enforcement initiatives would also be needed if Ottawa's controversial marijuana plan becomes the law of the land. Asked to appear before council to offer his thoughts on the federal government's proposed $240 million pot bill, Catney didn't mince words in strongly denouncing the plan. He said the perils of pot are numerous. "I am totally opposed to this; I see nothing positive about it," said Catney, acknowledging police chiefs across Canada have voiced divergent opinions on the proposed scheme. The bill introduced Tuesday in Ottawa will decriminalize the possession of small amounts of pot, meaning offenders would be subjected to fines -- much like those doled out for traffic violations -- instead of criminal prosecution. On the heels of Catney's address, council unanimously passed a motion strongly opposing the Liberal government's pot plan. Mayor Hazel McCallion, who believes decriminalization will lead to a sharp increase in drug use and the number of illegal pot-growing houses across the city, said the bill on the table is an example of senior levels of government showing no consideration for the impact on communities. "Both levels of government have to realize the impact is at the local level," said McCallion, adding Ottawa should have more important issues on the front burner. "If this is a priority with the federal government, they've got their priorities messed up." Catney, meanwhile, is calling on Ottawa to suspend debate to allow the issue to be studied further. "These changes do not reflect a commitment to the safety and education of our children," he continued. "It will expose them to a road we don't want them to go down." Ward 7 Councillor Nando Iannicca said yet another aspect of the proposed legislation is cause for concern. Drivers suspected of being impaired by drugs would not have to provide police officers with a blood sample, even if they were involved in a fatal collision. - --- MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager