POT LAW COULD BOOST COP COSTS

OTTAWA (CP) -- The federal plan to decriminalize possession of small
amounts of marijuana could increase policing costs, not reduce them as
predicted, say 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 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 to December 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% of the 93,000 incidents involving pot.

Under the bill before Parliament, possessing 15 grams or less of marijuana
- -- 15 to 20 joints -- would become 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 police time for
more serious matters, but the Mounties remain to be convinced.

The Mounties believe a factor would be how many tickets issued under the
new proposals are challenged.

The bill proposes four separate offences, with punishments from a fine of
$5,000 for one to three plants, to 14 years in prison for having 50 or more.