Pubdate: Mon, 15 Mar 2004
Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB)
Copyright: 2004 Winnipeg Free Press
Contact:  http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502
Author: Jim Bronskill, Canadian Press
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

RCMP WORRY POT PROPOSAL MIGHT RAISE POLICING COSTS

Mounties Air Fears In Notes On Decriminalization Bill

OTTAWA -- The federal plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts of 
marijuana could increase policing costs, not reduce them as many predict, 
according to internal RCMP notes.

The revelation is among several uncertainties and reservations regarding 
the proposed pot bill spelled out in newly disclosed briefing materials 
prepared by the national police force.

The Mounties take issue with the oft-repeated assertion that the existing 
pot law is enforced unevenly across Canada, and express concern about some 
elements of the new legislative package.

Several pages of RCMP notes, compiled from May through December last year, 
were obtained by The Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act.

The latest statistics show police laid a record number of drug-related 
charges in 2002, with 75 per cent of the 93,000 incidents involving marijuana.

Under the bill currently before Parliament, possessing 15 grams or less of 
marijuana -- about 15 to 20 joints -- would no longer be a criminal matter 
but a ticketing offence punishable by a fine of $150 for an adult or $100 
for a youth. Some advocates argue the legislative proposals will free up 
valuable police time for more serious matters, but the Mounties remain 
unconvinced.

"Police do not see these reforms as resulting in cost savings to them," say 
the RCMP notes. "Which way the volume of marijuana offences will go is 
difficult to say. It may result in cost savings or it may result in cost 
increases."

The Mounties believe a key factor would be how many of the tickets issued 
under the new proposals end up being challenged.

"If a large percentage of the tickets issued were contested in court and 
police officers were called to testify, our costs might actually increase."

A number of activists pushing for legalization of marijuana, not just 
decriminalization, have promised to protest the federal changes by 
routinely challenging fines.

Eugene Oscapella of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, which favours 
legalization, said it is "quite likely" costs to police will rise under the 
changes. "Some people in the reform movement are arguing that they should 
just clog up the courts, and that's one tactic." The federal government 
says that in large urban centres, police are much less likely to lay a 
charge for possession of small amounts of cannabis than in other parts of 
the country.

The Mounties deny the suggestion, saying the force strives to enforce the 
law "in a consistent manner, keeping in mind the policing priorities of the 
regions it serves."

There is no evidence "this would be any different if the new reform is 
adopted in Canada," the notes say.

In consultations with federal officials, the Mounties supported the idea of 
ticketing provisions for marijuana possession, the notes add, but only if 
police officers would be able to retain the current option of issuing a 
summons to appear in criminal court for even very small quantities.

This would be reserved for cases in which "aggravating factors" made the 
option of a criminal charge more appropriate. However, the government did 
not follow the RCMP's advice.

Currently, growing marijuana is a single offence, punishable by up to seven 
years in prison. The bill proposes four separate offences, with punishments 
ranging from a fine of $5,000 for being caught with one to three plants to 
14 years behind bars for cultivating 50 or more.

When advised in advance of the government's options, "the RCMP said it 
preferred to not see potential penalties lowered for any cultivation offences."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom