CMA ISSUES MARIJUANA WARNING

As the federal government prepared legislation to decriminalize possession
of small amounts of marijuana this spring, the CMA "strongly advised"
Canadians against using the drug.

The legislation, expected to be tabled by the end of May, will probably
make possession of less than 15 g of marijuana a minor offence that results
in a ticket, not a court appearance. Possession of more than 30 g will
likely remain a criminal offence, while police would have the discretion to
lay a charge or issue a ticket for people possessing 15-30 g. The CMA says
"it is critical that any change to the legal status of marijuana neither
encourage nor promote the normalization of its use."

Richard Garlick, director of communications at the Canadian Centre on
Substance Abuse, says international experience indicates that no spike in
usage is likely following decriminalization. This has been true for Holland
and 11 US states that have made the move.

Marijuana use has been banned in Canada since 1923. In 2000, more than 30
000 Canadians were charged with possession. Convictions rarely result in a
jail sentence, but anyone convicted earns a criminal record.

The CMA says that even though a criminal conviction for possessing a small
amount of marijuana is disproportionate to the offence, marijuana remains
"an addictive substance known to have adverse health effects."

President Dana Hanson says a comprehensive national drug strategy is the
key. "Addiction is a disease and individuals suffering from it should be
diverted, whenever possible, from the criminal justice system to treatment
and rehabilitation."

Garlick says the centre, an arm's-length federal agency, supports this
approach. "People make the mistake of equating decriminalization with
legalization. We have to make clear that it is still illegal and at the
same time deal with issues such as treatment."