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Pubdate: Wed, 18 Jul 2007 Source: Kingston Whig-Standard (CN ON) Copyright: 2007 The Kingston Whig-Standard Contact: http://www.kingstonwhigstandard.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/224 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) NOT CAUSE FOR A CRIMINAL RECORD Nearly half of all Canadians have committed a criminal offence. Fortunately, however, only about 600,000 of the 15-million plus have criminal records. We say "fortunately"' because the criminal offence they have committed is largely harmless - so harmless, in fact, that some police officers can't be bothered making an arrest and laying charges when they happen upon the crime in progress. That crime is possession of cannabis, or marijuana. We are not in favour of the legalization of marijuana. The country isn't ready for that step and all the complications it would entail - from impaired driving to supporting criminal groups that grow and sell it, to its abuse by youths. Rather, what the federal government should do is decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana and institute fines similar to a traffic offence. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom