OFFICIALS CONSIDER ACTIONS AGAINST STONED DRIVERS

Strip Drivers Of Licences, Says Safety Council

Canadians suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana should be
temporarily stripped of their licences, says the Canada Safety Council.

In the absence of a reliable test to detect drug use, provincial governments
should allow police to forbid driving for up to 24 hours, just as they do in
cases of impaired driving, the council recommends in a report.

"These suspensions remove potentially dangerous drivers from the road," says
the safety council.

"They provide a stern and effective warning without the punitive lifetime
consequences of a criminal record and a costly criminal court case."

The council is pressing the issue because it says that the federal
government's proposed legislation to decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana has raised concerns about a rise in pot use.

People caught with less than 15 grams of marijuana in their vehicles will be
fined up to $400 instead of being criminally charged if the bill passes.

In Ontario, there is currently no law against marijuana possession for
personal use, due to a recent court ruling that struck down the federal ban.

Meanwhile, police and federal officials are working on a test to nab
drug-induced drivers.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon has said he will have a proposal ready to
present to his provincial counterparts this fall that will include a mix of
examining blood levels and physical symptoms.

The safety council predicts, however, that there will not be a reliable
roadside test any time soon.

Unlike drunk driving, in which there is a measurable link between blood
alcohol levels and driving ability, there is no similar correlation for
marijuana.

Another complication is that the chemical in marijuana -
tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) - can be detected in the body for up to four
weeks, but its impairing effects do not last.

The council sites several studies which it says highlight the need for
action, particularly considering findings that marijuana smoking diminishes
motor skills, attention span and steering ability.