POT FINES; THAT'S THE TICKET!

Special to The Province

MP Dr. Keith Martin plans to reintroduce a private member's bill today to
decriminalize the simple possession of marijuana. The bill would allow
police to ticket offenders caught with 100 grams of pot or less.

Martin's attempts last year to introduce the bill were stymied when Ottawa
refused to allow a proper vote on the motion even though about two-thirds
of the MPs supported it.

"With the Special House Committee on Drugs scheduled to release their
report on Dec. 9, the bill will provide a template for legislation that can
be rapidly adopted and become law," said the Canadian Alliance MP.

The bill is also part of a larger plan which could combat the international
drug trade and reduce drug consumption in Canada.

The motion, M-98, calls for:

- - Reducing domestic consumption through adopting drug rehabilitation
programs based upon some of the new, effective European models;

- - Preventing the use of drugs in the early stages of childhood by
introducing a National Headstart program that focuses on strengthening the
parent-child bond;

- - Pursuing a hemispheric free trade agreement that reduces tariff,
non-tariff barriers and the elimination of double taxation regimes;

- - Implementing import/export permits for the precursor chemicals necessary
to manufacture illicit drugs. (This would be very effective at stopping the
export of amphetamine-like substances to the U.S.);

- - Introducing amendments to the Criminal Code based upon the model of the
American Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (RICO) that will
enable the courts to hamstring the financial underpinnings of organized
crime gangs.

- -- Office of Canadian Alliance MP Dr. Keith Martin