Pubdate: Mon, 08 Feb 2016
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2016 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Daniel Leblanc
Page: A1

LIBERALS' VOW TO LEGALIZE POT CREATING CHAOS, POLICE SAY

Canada's frontline officers and police chiefs are alarmed by the
growing chaos in the marijuana industry, saying the Liberal Party's
promise to eventually legalize the drug has sparked confusion across
the country.

Illegal pot dispensaries are opening up from coast to coast at the
same time as some users feel they should no longer be subject to the
Criminal Code, prompting law-enforcement officials to urge the
Trudeau government to remind Canadians that marijuana remains an
illegal drug.

The dispensaries are ostensibly set up to distribute medical
marijuana, but many are believed to also sell cannabis for
recreational use with the flimsiest medical evidence or documentation.
The licensed producers of medical marijuana have responded by
launching a lobbying campaign to persuade the government to shut down
the dispensaries. At the same time, these legal producers of medical
marijuana are vying to be the first in line to legally produce
marijuana for recreational use.

"The discussion [ surrounding legalization] that is occurring is
causing a lot of confusion, even from an enforcement perspective,"
said Tom Stamatakis, president of the 52,000- member Canadian Police
Association. "On the street, you have citizens who are convinced or
have allowed themselves to be convinced that marijuana is now legal
and it's okay to not only use it, but to manufacture and sell it." In
many ways, he said, tobacco and alcohol are now more regulated and
face tougher restrictions than cannabis, as some pot stores openly
advertise their products and sell to minors.

In the past election, the Liberals promised to legalize marijuana for
recreational purposes, but the legal changes are months away as
consultations with the provinces and other groups have yet to start.

"Now that the Liberals are in government, and this is an agenda that
they have, there does need to be some action and messaging from them
as they work toward developing the statutory framework and the ensuing
regulations [ for legalization]," Mr. Stamatakis said in an interview.

Saskatoon police chief Clive Weighill, who presides over the Canadian
Association of Chiefs of Police, agreed the government needs to deal
with the uncertainty created by its promise. He said police forces
have cracked down on dispensaries in cities from Halifax to Nanaimo,
but that the government also needs to speak out.

"The police have taken the enforcement action that we have up to date.
I think it would certainly help if the government would come forth and
advise people that the legislation isn't in place yet and that the
laws will be enforced until it is," he said in an interview.

In a statement, Liberal MP Bill Blair said the government will not be
rushed as it moves to "legalize, strictly regulate and restrict access
to marijuana in a careful and orderly way."

"We will take the time that is necessary to get this right,' said the
government's point man on the file.

In the meantime, however, he said all current laws will apply and need
to be enforced.

"Until Parliament has enacted new legislation and new rules are in
place to ensure that marijuana is carefully regulated, current laws
remain in force and should be obeyed," said Mr. Blair, parliamentary
secretary to the minister of justice.

Mr. Stamatakis has had private discussions on the issue of
legalization with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Public Safety
Minister Ralph Goodale. He said he is convinced that once the drug is
legalized, it will be tightly restricted.

"My first impression is that we will end up with a similar legislation
and regulatory framework to what we have for alcohol and tobacco,
which, from a law-enforcement perspective, is the direction we should
go in," he said.

In the meantime, however, different jurisdictions are tackling the
matter differently. In Vancouver, the city is moving toward a system
to license a number of marijuana dispensaries. At the same time,
Saskatoon has recently busted a similar establishment.

"We have an obligation to enforce the Criminal Code of Canada, but you
have different levels of government, especially at the municipal
level, who are taking a different approach," he said. "It is a tough
challenge."

Both Mr. Stamatakis and Mr. Weighill said a key issue, as Canada moves
toward a legalized marijuana market, will be finding ways to enforce
laws against impaired driving.

"We would be looking for legislation around impaired driving for
marijuana, possibly a recognized instrument to measure the levels of
THC, like we can with alcohol," Mr. Weighill said.

He added he will also seek legislation to ensure that "anyone who is
selling it to youth will be prosecuted."
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MAP posted-by: Matt