DECRIMINALIZE POT, MP SAYS

Kamloops MP Nelson Riis called Tuesday for the decriminalization of
marijuana and pledged to make it an issue in the next federal election
campaign.

"I think the time has come," Riis said. "It takes up an inordinate
amount of police and court time."

Possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal use, whether
it's a joint found in someone's pocket or a couple of plants growing
in their garden, should result in a fine, not a criminal record, he
said.

"Speeding is illegal, people are charged but they don't end up with a
criminal record. In 1997, 50,000 people were charged in Canada (with
possession)."

Riis was reacting to a recent Ontario Court of Appeal ruling that
upheld the right of an epileptic man to use marijuana for medicinal
purposes. It also found the government's marijuana law
unconstitutional and gave Ottawa one year to rewrite the legislation
so legitimate patients can get cannabis for medicinal use.

The veteran Kamloops MP vowed he will make decriminalization a local
and national issue in the next federal election.

A recent Gallup poll found just 22 per cent of Canadians support the
law against marijuana possession. Forty-eight per cent believe a
conviction for possession should carry only a fine, while 28 per cent
said it should not be an offence.

Riis, who admits to using marijuana within the past 10 years, noted
Canadian Alliance Leader Stockwell Day has acknowledged
experimentation as a youth, as have American presidential hopefuls Al
Gore and George W. Bush.

A motion to decriminalize marijuana use was also debated at a Canadian
Alliance policy convention held this year.