POLICE COSTS COULD RISE WITH POT BILL

OTTAWA (CP) -- The federal government's plan to decriminalize possession of
small amounts of marijuana could increase policing costs, not reduce them
as many predict, according to internal RCMP notes.

The revelation is among several uncertainties and reservations regarding
the proposed pot bill spelled out in newly disclosed briefing materials
prepared by the national police force.

The Mounties take issue with the oft-repeated assertion that the existing
pot law is enforced unevenly across Canada, and express concern about some
elements of the new legislative package.

Several pages of RCMP notes, compiled from May through December of last
year, were obtained under the Access to Information Act.

The latest statistics show police laid a record number of drug-related
charges in 2002, with 75 per cent of the 93,000 incidents involving pot.

Under the bill currently before Parliament, possessing 15 grams or less of
marijuana -- about 15 to 20 joints -- would no longer be a criminal matter
but a ticketing offence punishable by a fine of $150 for an adult or $100
for a youth.

Some advocates argue the legislative proposals will free up valuable police
time for more serious matters, but the Mounties remain to be convinced.
They believe a key factor would be how many of the tickets issued under the
new proposals end up being challenged.