POT LAW COST MAY BE HIGH: RCMP

New Rules May Bump Policing Tab

OTTAWA (CP) -- A federal plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts
of marijuana could increase policing costs, not reduce them as many
predict, according to RCMP notes. The disclosure is among several
uncertainties 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 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% of the 93,000 incidents involving pot.

Under the bill 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," the
RCMP notes say.

"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."