MARIJUANA BILL TABLED

Move would aid police forces

OTTAWA --Reform MP Keith Martin introduced legislation in Parliament
yesterday that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Martin's private members' bill would amend the Controlled Drugs and
Substances Act and parallels elements of a policy adopted by the Canadian
Association of Police Chiefs last week.

The chiefs say they could maximize their dwindling resources by targeting
organized crime instead of busting potheads.

"I would like to see our police officers pursuing rapists and organized
crime barons, not people for simple possession," said Martin, a doctor by
training.

His bill was also the source of some embarrassment because it also called
on the Feds to decriminalize trafficking of marijuana in small amounts.
Bureaucrats were called to fix the blunder.

Amendments were sought by police chiefs so police would have the option of
charging someone with 30 grams or less of marijuana or one gram or less of
cannabis resin.

Police want to be able to use their discretion, including the option of
issuing a ticket that would come with a fine and no criminal record.

Justice Minister Anne McLellan is willing to look at the law, but not until
after formally meeting with police chiefs in August.

"I have no problem reviewing the possible use of the act for possession of
small amounts of marijuana,'' she said outside the Commons.