POLITICIANS DIFFER ON POT LEGISLATION

Local News - Rose-Marie Ur says it will be a "hard sell" to get her
to support the decriminalization of minor possession of marijuana.

However, the MP for Lambton-Kent Middlesex said she intends to keep an
open mind on the subject and listen to the views of her
constituents.

Chatham-Kent Essex MP Jerry Pickard told The Chatham Daily News he
supports the government's Bill C-17 which calls for higher fines for
pot possession, but would prevent a person caught with 15 grams or
less from facing a criminal charge.

Ur said she understands 15 grams of pot translates into approximately
30 joints.

"I don't get it," she said. "My government spends millions on
anti-smoking campaigns but is willing to only fine and not criminally
charge someone caught with up to 30 marijuana cigarettes."

Ur said the policy change would create extra work for police officers
across the country who are already having to work overtime.

The MP agreed with Chatham-Kent Police Chief Carl Herder that new and
costly equipment would be required to determine the drug content of
motorists suspected of being under the influence.

Ur said she is looking forward to an open and free debate on Bill C-17
when it comes before Parliament sometime next year.

"But at this point I don't see the logic," she said. "You can't have
it both ways."

Ur said she is also concerned that decriminalizing minor amounts of
marijuana will encourage Canadians to grow more of the illegal
substance for themselves.

"There is already a huge problem in this country involving grow
operations in residential neighbourhoods," she said. "And it's not
just confined to major urban centres like Toronto and Ottawa. It's
also occurring in rural areas right across the country."

Ur said her fear is that marijuana production will sharply rise once
the government replaces criminalization with larger, but still
relatively insignificant fines.

The proposed legislation calls for anybody caught with more than 15
grams to still face jail time, with a possible six months in prison
and a maximum fine of $1,000.

The new law would treat minor possession of pot much like a speeding
ticket. Instead of jail time, the punishment would be a $150 fine for
adults and $100 for minors possessing 15 grams or less.

"There are a lot of unanswered questions that I want to see answered
before I vote one way or the other on this controversial issue," Ur
said.

She said if the vote was to take place today, she would vote against
the bill.

"It's going to be a hard sell to get me to change my mind," the MP
said.

Ur said she understands now that someone caught with 15 grams or less
of pot might end up with a criminal record.

"That could mean problems for that person when it comes to landing a
job or trying to cross the border," she said. "But, perhaps they
should have thought about the consequences before even touching a joint."

Ur said she is anxious to hear the views of her constituents on the
issue.

Pickard said that in supporting the legislation he isn't saying it's
OK to smoke marijuana.

"What we are saying is that a person with a small amount shouldn't
have to face a criminal record. Instead, they will have to pay a
higher fine."