NEW POT LAW MAY INCREASE COST OF POLICING

OTTAWA (CP) -- The federal plan to decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana could increase policing costs, not reduce them as many
predict, according to internal RCMP notes. The revelation is among several
uncertainties and reservations regarding the proposed pot bill spelled out
in newly disclosed briefing materials prepared by the national police force

The Mounties take issue with the oft-repeated assertion that the existing
pot law is enforced unevenly across Canada, and express concern about some
elements of the new legislative package. Several pages of RCMP notes,
compiled from May through December of last year, were obtained by The
Canadian Press under the Access to Information Act

The latest statistics show police laid a record number of drug-related
charges in 2002, with 75 per cent of the 93,000 incidents involving pot

Under the bill currently before Parliament, possessing 15 grams or less of
marijuana -- about 15 to 20 joints -- would no longer be a criminal matter,
but a ticketing offence punishable by a fine of $150 for an adult or $100
for a youth

Some advocates argue the legislative proposals will free up valuable police
time for more serious matters, but the Mounties remain to be convinced

"Police do not see these reforms as resulting in cost savings to them," say
the RCMP notes. "Which way the volume of marijuana offences will go is
difficult to say. It may result in cost savings or it may result in cost
increases." The Mounties believe a key factor would be how many of the
tickets issued under the new proposals end up being challenged

"If a large percentage of the tickets issued were contested in court and
police officers were called to testify, our costs might actually increase."
A number of activists pushing for legalization -- not just
decriminalization -- of marijuana have promised to protest the federal
changes by routinely challenging fines

Eugene Oscapella of the Canadian Foundation for Drug Policy, which favours
legalization, said it is "quite likely" costs to police will rise under the
changes. "Some people in the reform movement are arguing that they should
just clog up the courts, and that's one tactic." The federal government
says that in large urban centres, police are much less likely to lay a
charge for possession of small amounts of cannabis than in other parts of
the country

Liberal MP Wayne Easter, a former solicitor general, echoed the argument
recently

"In some areas you get a slap on the wrist, in other areas you get a
criminal record." The Mounties deny the suggestion, saying the force
strives to enforce the law "in a consistent manner, keeping in mind the
policing priorities of the regions it serves." There is no evidence "this
would be any different if the new reform is adopted in Canada," the notes
say. In consultations with federal officials, the Mounties supported the
idea of ticketing provisions for marijuana possession, the notes add, but
only if police officers would be able to retain the current option of
issuing a summons to appear in criminal court for even very small quantities

This would be reserved for cases in which "aggravating factors" made the
option of a criminal charge more appropriate. However, the government did
not follow the RCMP's advice.