LAY OFF CASUAL TOKERS: FANTINO

Nailing Gangs His Priority

Toronto's top cop urged Canada's lawmakers yesterday to crack down on
"high-end" drug traffickers -- and ease up on small-time pot users.

"We must implement appropriate legislation and processes that will more
efficiently deal with possession of 30 grams of marijuana or hashish where
no other extenuating circumstances exist," Chief Julian Fantino told the
Senate Special Committee on Illicit Drugs.

Fantino said he supports an optional ticketing system with which officers
could choose to fine tokers and require them to enter treatment programs.

MODIFIED APPROACH

"There'll still be sanctions imposed -- it's not free-wheeling, it's not
legalized," Fantino said. "In essence, we're talking about a modified
approach to deal with minute quantities of cannabis or its derivatives,"
Fantino said, stressing that he's not in favour of legalizing pot, but of
decriminalizing the possession and use of small amounts of marijuana so
police forces can focus on more serious crimes.

He suggested those nailed for small-time pot possession be mandated to
enter a treatment program, rather than becoming a burden on the criminal
justice system.

Currently, possession of less than 30 grams of marijuana is a summary
conviction offence, which doesn't yield a criminal record.

He said Canada is known as a "source country" for high-grade marijuana.

Canadian-grown marijuana is being sold for up to $18,000 US a pound in New
York City, he said.

Fantino also called for a national strategy to target organized crime
groups in Canada that "are motivated by the pursuit of profit; a great deal
of which is derived through national and international drug distribution
networks."

Fantino recently appeared before the Commons justice committee to strongly
endorse Bill C-24, a measure in anti-gang legislation.

POLICE OUTPACED

He said ever since a 1999 Supreme Court ruling that restricted their
powers, police forces "have been outpaced and out-resourced by the
organized crime element.

"We're preoccupied with the drug activity in our communities," he said,
adding about one-third of his police resources are "sucked up" by drug work.

"If all we can do as a society is legalize things that are mind altering
and uncontrolled and out there for the wrong reason ... to me, we might as
well surrender," Fantino said.