PROVINCE PANS FEDERAL STANCE ON POT BILL

Opposition Groups Should Be Consulted First: Solicitor General

EDMONTON - Alberta Solicitor General Heather Forsyth says she's frustrated
with the federal government's refusal to budge or consult others on the
decriminalization of marijuana possession.

Forsyth believes decriminalization is inconsistent with the federal
position that organized crime increasingly controls the grow operations and
sale of the drug in this country.

"To me there is a serious disconnect in their logic. Why say it's a very
serious offence to grow it or sell it, but it's OK to smoke it?" she asked
Tuesday, after discussing the issue at a conference of federal and
provincial ministers in Quebec.

She said she asked federal officials to consult with high-profile
organizations that oppose decriminalization, such as the Canadian Police
Association.

But after Tuesday's talks it is clear the government will go ahead with
plans to remove possession of small amounts of marijuana from the Criminal
Code of Canada, she said.

"We all know that this is tied to organized crime and we have a huge
problem with organized crime in this country.

"B.C is finding some of their marijuana is laced with cocaine and heroin
and the province is becoming known as the Colombia of the north," she said.

Alberta, Ontario and Quebec also have serious problems with the expansion
of large-scale marijuana grow operations.

Federal Justice Minister Martin Cauchon did promise Tuesday to take "a
serious look" at toughening his bill to decriminalize marijuana so that
Canadians who are repeatedly caught possessing pot will be criminally
charged rather than ticketed.

The federal minister offered the concession at the urging of his provincial
counterparts, most of whom, like Forsyth, oppose marijuana
decriminalization and want Ottawa to abandon the proposed legislation.

"The question of repeat offenders has been raised. If it happens two,
three, or four times, what are we going to do," Cauchon said.

"If we can do something with that question of repeat offenders, we'll have
a serious look at it."

The legislation, which Cauchon hopes to pass before Christmas, proposes to
decriminalize possession of 15 grams or less so that people would be fined
from $100 to $400 instead of being criminally charged. Police estimate that
is the equivalent of about 15 joints.

"To move ahead with tickets, it is something that has been in place in
other countries, it's been proven as well to be efficient," said Cauchon.
The government's premise is that police should not be using their resources
pursuing small-time offenders, nor should people caught with marijuana for
their own use be saddled with criminal records.

The possible concession comes after Cauchon has retreated from a plan to
decriminalize 30 grams or less instead of 15.

Forsyth said she was also disappointed to learn federal officials had made
almost no progress on plans to deal with drug-impaired drivers.

"We know that usage is on the rise and that the marijuana on the street
today is much stronger than it once was, that it contains far more THC,"
she said.