CHIEF SLAMS PM OVER POT LAWS

Catney Worried About Pot Laws

Peel Region's Chief of Police yesterday condemned Prime Minister Paul
Martin's plan to reintroduce legislation that will decriminalize
possession of marijuana.

A disgruntled Chief Noel Catney said in an exclusive interview the
legislation, which is expected to move forward when the House of
Commons resumes in February, will lead to more crime in Mississauga.
Catney said it will only impede efforts by his force to crack down on
pot smoking and pot growers.

"I'm extremely disappointed and saddened that the new regime is
continuing with this legislation," said Catney. "By (decriminalizing
marijuana), you're going to see a greater impact on health services
from all the medical issues that will arise from overindulgence.
You'll see more lawless public behaviour and ultimately, it will hurt
the quality of life here in Peel Region."

The new bill eliminates simple possession of marijuana as a criminal
code offence.

Martin told reporters this week he will revive the legislation, which
was first introduced by former PM Jean ChrEtien.

The new PM said he supports one of the key principals behind the bill,
that young people caught with a small amount of pot should not wind up
with a life-long criminal record.

The earlier bill would have decriminalized pot use by allowing a
person to possess up to 15 grams without facing a potential criminal
conviction and a criminal record. Instead, there would be ticketing by
police with fines from $100-$400.

But, Martin said, he wants higher fines for possession and tougher
penalties for distribution and cultivation of pot.

"I think that one's got to take a look at the fines," he said
recently. "I think that you have to take a look at the quantities, and
I think that there has to be a larger effort against the grow-ops
(marijuana producers) and against those who distribute."

Catney fired back, saying easier access to pot will further damage the
well-being of pot users.

"Where's the scientific data that says if marijuana is available
24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, that the addiction levels will
drop?" asked Catney. "I haven't seen any." Catney said increased usage
of pot will surely make our streets more dangerous due to increases in
off-shoot crimes including break-and-enters and thefts.

Catney wants all the major players, including the Canadian Association
of Chiefs of Police and medical professionals, involved in reviewing
the bill.

"When you're going to make a dramatic change like this, it's a
pre-requisite to have appropriate consultation, and that hasn't
happened...the citizens are not being consulted," he said. "This is
something that has been produced without having done the proper homework."

Catney said his officers' hands are tied when it comes to laying
impaired driving charges caused by pot because Canadian law doesn't
permit police to take a urine sample to test for it.

There is no question marijuana is already a growing problem here. As
of yesterday, Peel police dismantled about 216 pot labs in
Mississauga, a hefty jump from the 147 seized all of last year.

The contested Liberal Party legislation has been harshly criticized as
inadequate by other police forces, provincial justice ministers, the
Canadian Alliance party, some Liberal MPs and Mothers Against Drunk
Driving (MADD).

Mississauga MP Paul Szabo said this summer he is "vehemently opposed"
to his party's plan to decriminalize pot.

"Just the very suggestion of decriminalization sends a very bad
message to Canadians," Szabo said. "Marijuana, even in small
possessions, is harmful to health and well-being. It impairs driving
and can damage your ability to work safely around machinery."

The heated marijuana debate comes on the heel of a Supreme Court of
Canada decision on the issue.

Today, the country's top court will rule on whether the current
federal legislation goes against the Charter of Rights by imposing
criminal penalties such as prison sentences for possession of small
amounts of the drug.