POT CHARGES BACK ON TABLE FOR NOW: COPS

Feds Move to Fast-Track Law to Decriminalize

WOODSTOCK - Although possessing it is illegal again and police say
they'll charge people for it, one marijuana advocate says pot smokers
won't be changing their habits anytime soon.

"I don't believe it's a real setback," said Jim Bender, owner of Lady
Godiva's on Dundas Street.

The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled Tuesday in favour of protecting
medical marijuana users and reinstated simple possession for
non-medical use as a criminal offence.

Bender recently helped organize a marijuana smoking rally that
attracted 200 people to Woodstock's downtown core.

"People are going to keep smoking pot and that won't change," he
said.

What will change, however, is how police will now consider the
law.

People who do get caught will be charged, said Oxford Community Police
Chief Ron Fraser, as the appeal court ruling allows police to resume
laying charges for simple possession. That includes officers
reconsidering charges from recent seizures when the law was in limbo.

"We will lay charges in all situations where pot was seized over the
summer, where there was enough evidence," said Fraser.

Bender was doubtful police would go back and charge everyone they may
have stopped over the summer. He noted police on the beat in Woodstock
have been "pretty good" in the past when it came to people possessing
small amounts of the drug.

"I'm sure Ron Fraser is just more than confused about this," said
Bender.

Fraser said there is no confusion over the enforcement of the
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, but that he said he will
encourage officers to use their discretion when they come across marijuana.

"We've never changed our policy - if an officer has seized the drug,
they can lay charges," said Fraser. "Granted, if it's just a couple of
roaches, they (smokers) likely won't be charged. But if we're talking
about four or five joints, they will. It's up to the officer's
discretion."

Fraser added the force won't be hunting down pot smokers. Officers are
being asked to deal with situations as they come across them when
patrolling their regular beats.

Bender urges advocates carry on despite Tuesday's ruling and continue
the political campaign to legalize marijuana. He pledged to drop off a
petition to MP John Finlay (Oxford-Lib.) this Friday. It presently has
more than 200 names.

The federal government is, in fact, moving to speed up passage of
legislation to decriminalize possession of marijuana.

The Liberals will try to fast-track the bill Thursday by referring it
for early study by a Commons committee after only three hours of
debate in the House of Commons.

Justice Minister Martin Cauchon expressed hope that the procedural
tactic will speed the way toward ultimate passage.

Don Boudria, the government House leader, suggested the bill could be
wrapped up before the end of the fall session, as Prime Minister Jean
Chretien wants.

The legislation has sparked misgivings among Liberal backbenchers,
however, and opinions are divided on whether it can be pushed through
as quickly as the government hopes.

MP Derek Lee, a key member of the committee that will study the
legislation, said he thinks hearings can be held "fairly
expeditiously" but was doubtful it an pass all necessary legislative
stages before the end of the year.

John McKay, chairman of the influential Ontario Liberal caucus, said
it would be "pretty optimistic" to expect final passage even by spring.

Most Liberals expect a new government led by Paul Martin will be
issuing an election call around April, cutting off work on any bills
that haven't passed by then.