NORTH VAN SEEKS DECRIMINALIZATION OF MARIJUANA

Possession of marijuana should no longer be treated as a criminal offence
but should be regulated the same as alcohol, North Vancouver District
council recommended this week.

By a 5-2 vote, council decided to take that position to the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities which could, in turn, try to influence federal
politicians. Mayor Don Bell and Councillor Glenys Deering-Robb were
opposed.

But a majority of councillors took a tougher stand against heroin,
rejecting a recommendation that it be dealt with as a medical problem
rather than a criminal problem.

Council decided in October to consider decriminalization of illegal drugs
for personal use, and asked municipal manager Gord Howie for a report.

Howie noted the district has no legislative authority over illegal drugs
and told council to expect to have limited impact on the debate. But he
said it could have input by taking its views to the federation.