POLICE CHIEF AIRS CONCERNS ABOUT PROPOSED POT LAW

The federal government's proposed changes to marijuana legislation through
the Cannabis Reform Bill represent steps in the right direction, says Halton
Police Chief Ean Algar. But he has some serious concerns about aspects of
the proposed legislation.

"I like some of the things the government put forward but I'd like to see
that it all comes together where the message is it isn't good to take drugs
- -- drugs are still bad," Chief Algar said.

The Cannabis Reform Bill was announced late last month by Martin Cauchon,
federal justice minister. If passed, the bill would introduce softer
penalties for possessing small amounts of the drug and increase penalties
for growing operations. Those caught in possession of 15 grams or less of
marijuana would be issued a ticket and not be charged criminally. Fines
would differ for adults and minors.

The maximum amount an adult would be fined is $150, while minors younger
than 18 would get a $100 ticket and their parents/caregivers would be
informed. Fines would jump to $300 for adults and $200 for youths for
cannabis resin (hashish) possession.

Fines would increase based on aggravating factors. For instance if someone
was caught with less than 15 grams of pot while committing an indictable
offence or driving a vehicle, the fines would jump to $400 for adults and
$250 for minors.

Police would be allowed to use discretion in deciding whether to ticket or
charge a person caught possessing 15 to 30 grams of pot. Fines would be $300
for adults and $200 for minors. Maximum sentencing for a summary criminal
conviction would be six months in jail and/or a fine up to $1,000.

Those who run hydroponic growing operations -- a phenomena that has become
increasingly popular in Halton over the past two years -- could really be
hit by the new law. The new legislation created different offences depending
on the size of the growing operation.

Growing one to three plants could net a suspect a fine of up to $5,000
and/or a year in jail. Growing four to 25 plants could net a suspect a fine
of up to $25,000 and/or 18 months in jail. Growing 26 to 50 plants could
result in a 10-year jail sentence, and growing more than 50 plants could
result in a sentence of up to 14 years in jail.

Chief Algar said he likes that the federal government is acting to reduce
demand for drugs but is less than thrilled with the proposed legislation for
a number of reasons. He said police hoped the decriminalized amount (15
grams) would be less and says people shouldn't be fooled into thinking pot
is a harmless narcotic.

"We had recommended it be a smaller amount (because) of increased potency,"
he said. "The active ingredient used to be about 2 per cent. Now it's up to
somewhere in the neighbourhood of 15 per cent. So it's more active as far as
the psychotic effect of the drug."

The chief said he's pleased the legislation aims to severely punish those
who grow marijuana but says more still needs to be done to convince growers
it's not worth it for them to manufacture drugs.

"I would hope the courts recognize the severity and profit potential and the
courts give sentences that are more meaningful. We have to work to present
that information to the courts but in turn the courts have to put out
sentences that take away the profit effect of this. We're talking several
millions of dollars here in Halton alone," he said.

The government hopes to pass the new bill by the end of the year.