Decriminalize marijuana?

The federal Liberals are proposing decriminalization of marijuana. This new
legislation is not well written. It's basically a carbon copy of a bill
that was introduced in the last Parliament.

These proposed amendments to existing laws were flawed and irresponsible in
several ways previously and the flaws are duplicated in the new law.

I support the concept of eliminating criminal records for minor marijuana
possessions. But, the new legislation would allow for the decriminalization
of up to 30 grams of pot that roughly translates into 60 joints.

This much pot far exceeds any reasonable amount for personal possession.
Under this proposed law, young people will receive a break through a lesser
fine of $100 while adults are fined $150.

This doesn't make sense. The message to youth should reflect that a penalty
is a deterrent for using marijuana.

Conservative Solicitor General Critic, Randy White said, "Canada should be
telling kids not to smoke pot; instead we're telling kids you'll just get a
fine."

I agree. These fines are ridiculously low and don't increase for subsequent
offences. We need structures in place to force fine payment and it should
be mandatory for the RCMP to issue a summons after a person has received
three or more fines - three strikes and it becomes a criminal offence.

I agree with stiffer fines and jail terms for marijuana grow-ops, but
question why the penalties are still at a judge's choice. I stand behind
mandatory minimum sentences so jail time for those convicted doesn't vary
at the discretion of a judge.

In my view, the proposed law also doesn't offer anything to address the
problems it will create with the U.S.

American officials have concerns about Canada being a source of high
potency marijuana, which finds its way across the border.

We need to begin discussions with the U.S. to address and eliminate
cross-border issues that are not addressed in this bill.

During the last Parliament, the Conservative Party and various police and
victims groups made a number of recommendations to improve the proposed
law, which have all been ignored.

The Liberal government is trying to pass seriously flawed legislation that
sends the wrong message about the seriousness of drug offences.

Recently, I visited several high schools in the Kootenay-Columbia
constituency and raised the issue of decriminalizing marijuana. After
discussion the students concluded it wouldn't meet the goal of
decriminalizing marijuana and it will fail to reform enforcement and
backlogs in court related to marijuana related offences.

Criminals will still control the lucrative business of marijuana production
and trafficking while the courts will continue to be backed up by people
challenging their fines. Busting kids for passing around a joint at a party
is also not the answer.

The bill had its first reading in the House of Commons and has been
referred to the committee stage where the Conservative Party and I will
fight to make changes and improvements.