DRUGS - JUSTICE CALLS FOR DECRIMINALIZATION

Dear Editor,

Langley MP Mark Warawa moved to dismiss Bill C-17 (an Act to decriminalize
marijuana possession) as a "non-policy" of the Liberal Government, a move
denounced by many who believe no one should receive a criminal record for
possessing a small amount of marijuana.

Calling the Bill "seriously flawed," Mr. Warawa is failing to take into
account the need to relieve pressure on our over-burdened justice system
which saw approximately 30 000 Canadians charged with marijuana use in
2000, with a price tag of over $150 million a year, according to the MP's
former Alliance colleague Esquimalt--Juan de Fuca MP Dr. Keith Martin.

Mr. Warawa, who says the 30-gram limit "far exceeds the amount necessary
for personal possession," also fails to heed the recommendations of the
Special Committee on Non-Medical Use of Drugs, of which his mentor Randy
White was a member. That committee called for a comprehensive strategy for
decriminalizing the possession and cultivation of no more than 30 grams of
cannabis for personal use.

Mr. Warawa is even advocating for a 50 per cent increase in the fines for a
first time offender under 18. He is more concerned with throwing the book
at young Canadians than ensuring that a small mistake doesn't stick to them
for the rest of their lives.

C-17 makes it perfectly clear that marijuana use is still illegal, but
possession of small amounts will no longer make you a criminal.

Dan Turner, Young Liberals of Canada in BC