Pubdate: Wed, 18 Nov 2015
Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 The Calgary Sun
Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67
Author: Shawn Logan
Page: 3

CALGARY'S POLICE CHIEF 'NOT SURE SOCIETY NEEDS ANOTHER DRUG'

Calgary's police chief is not hot for legalized pot.

During a sitdown with the Sun's editorial board this week, Chief Roger
Chaffin said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's pledge to legalize
marijuana could pose challenges to law enforcement.

"I'm not sure society needs another drug," he said. "I don't really
believe that it's in the community's best interest to introduce
another challenge for what it's like to grow up."

Trudeau vowed to legalize marijuana if elected.

Chaffin said while there are already some case studies south of the
border, it remains unclear how introducing legalized pot will "change
the fabric and nature of the community."

But he hopes law enforcement will be consulted.

"Policing will hopefully be a voice at the table, but we'll have to
work through it," he said.

"I'm not fighting the idea of what's legalized and what's not, but
what's the impact going to be and how do we manage that?"

Chaffin said the most immediate concern with making marijuana legal is
how it may impact road safety.

"My big concern on the policing side and probably for everybody who's
driving, is operating a motor vehicle under the influence," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Matt