Pubdate: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 Source: Nanaimo News Bulletin (CN BC) Copyright: 2009, BC Newspaper Group Contact: http://www.nanaimobulletin.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/948 Author: Kirk Tousaw Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v09/n1146/a05.html?1575 REVISED DRUG-PENALTY LEGISLATION REMAINS FLAWED To the Editor, Re: Bill would tilt justice scales, Opinion, Dec. 22. You opined that the Senate amendments to Bill C-15 (mandatory jail terms for drug offences) were a welcome change to allow judges to differentiate between small and larger-scale marijuana production offences. I agree with the sentiment. But even with the Senate amendments, Bill C-15 will impose mandatory nine-month jail terms for even one cannabis plant grown for the purpose of trafficking if it happens in a rental house or if a potential risk of danger to the public is created in a residential area. And trafficking includes non-commercial transfers to friends or family. The bill remains a radical change in Canada's approach to drugs. It is the importation of a drug-war mentality that used to be prevalent in the United States. They are now abandoning this approach, having seen the catastrophic consequences. All of the evidence is that such measures are doomed to fail. And to produce tragic consequences such as increased violence in the prohibition markets and a boost to the coffers of organized crime. Canada is being sold a bill of goods. The Conservatives know C-15 won't reduce drug supply, drug demand or street violence. They put pennies into proven success like treatment and prevention yet are willing to spend billions of our dollars locking up Canadians and further marginalizing those dealing with problematic substance use. The only way to reduce the power of gangs, end the phenomena of basement marijuana production and to bring some sanity and compassion to our drug situation, is to radically re-evaluate our approach, not make a bad situation worse. Kirk Tousaw Mill Bay - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart