MADD, POLICE GROUPS SLAM PROPOSED POT LAW

Update

Offering a renewed warning of the controversy that will erupt if the
government holds a Commons vote to soften drug penalties, police and
anti-drunk-driving groups levelled a broadside Monday at Liberal plans to
decriminalize possession of small quantities of marijuana.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving teamed up with the Canadian Professional
Police Association in Ottawa to denounce the proposed decriminalization.
They were joined by Toronto deputy police chief Mike Boyd, chairman of the
drug-abuse committee of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police.

Bill C-38 has passed first reading in the House of Commons and is being
reviewed by a special parliamentary committee. It is one of several
high-profile bills that could fall into limbo if the House rises early for
its Christmas break, as has been predicted by various sources.

Although opposed to the proposed legislative change for different reasons,
all three parties at Monday's press conference are united in their demand
that the government wait before moving ahead, saying that there are serious
wrinkles that have to be ironed out.

The national executive director of MADD, Andrew Murie, argued that it is
foolish to soften penalties for marijuana use without at the same time
developing ways to police motorists who drive under the influence of the drug.

"We are urging the government to give the police the authority they need to
detect and charge drug-impaired drivers prior to loosening the
drug-possession laws," he said. "It is a recipe for trouble on our roads,
and MPs need to delay this bill until the proper public safeguards are in
place."

The government sought less than two weeks ago to forestall this criticism,
announcing plans to change the law to allow police officers to demand a
sample of sweat or saliva from drivers they suspect to be under the
influence of drugs. Critics responded then by accusing the government of
approaching the problem backwards, of being determined to decriminalize
marijuana and then only belatedly dealing with attendant problems.

Deputy Chief Boyd warned that the government is rushing forward without
properly assessing the dangers.

"There is nothing in this law that will deter or reduce marijuana use in
Canada," he said. "While we are not opposed to the use of alternative
measures, such as a ticket, to deal with possession of very small amounts
of marijuana ... police officers should retain the discretion to lay
criminal charges where the circumstances warrant."

Taking a different tack, the president of the Canadian Professional Police
Association, said that moves to lower the penalties for small-time
possession of drugs send a conflicting message to the judiciary at a time
when, he believes, they should in fact be cracking down much harder on
commercial growing operations.

"This government's response to the booming marijuana grow operations
problem is seriously flawed and inadequate," Tony Cannavino said. "First
and foremost, minimum sentences are required to reinforce the seriousness
of this crime."

"[Bill C-38] contains too many flaws to be pushed through," he argued.
"This marijuana bill is not what Canada needs right now, and we urge
Parliament to listen to police and victims, and reject this bill until
these issues have been corrected."