CANADA POISED TO EASE DRUG POSSESSION LAWS

The Controlled Drug and Substances Act will keep marijuana illegal in
Canada, but a bill has been proposed that would lessen the penalties for
possession. Marijuana use is on the rise and the support for incarceration
as a penalty is falling, according to a statement released by Health Canada,
a department of the Canadian government that is responsible for developing
health policies.

The proposed plan would reduce penalties for those possessing small amounts
of marijuana and strengthen penalties for those found to be growing or
distributing. "They'll just focus on more serious offenses like trafficking
and dealing," explained Sgt. Ed McNorton, spokesman for the Windsor Police
Department.

A person caught with up to 15 grams would no longer face federal
offense-type punishment, rather a small fine. "It's like a traffic ticket,"
McNorton said. The penalty for an adult would be $150 Canadian, around $110
U.S.

But the maximum penalty for growing would double; offenders could be
sentenced to 14 years in prison instead of seven. Trafficking remains the
most serious offense, with a possible sentence of life in prison. By
concentrating on the more serious offenses, the Canadian government hopes to
"free up the courts in a lot of these small instances," McNorton said.

Canadian officials hope to eliminate court costs that would create funding
(an expected $150 million) for an anti-drug research, education, and
treatment campaign

According to a written statement, Justice Minister Martin Cauchon promised
the Canadian people this alternative punishment is in no way a foreshadow to
legalization. McNorton maintained legalization was not on the horizon for
our neighboring country. "There's been no talk of that. The public would not
welcome it," he said. "We've preached the message 'say no to drugs,'" he
added.

But the public is in favor of softer penalties for marijuana possession said
Noel Kent, a 22-year-old student at the University of Toronto and lifetime
resident of Milton, Ontario.

"General consensus is that (Canadians) are all for it, although the general
consensus smokes marijuana," Kent said.

He added that he still supports decriminalization, but said he feels his
government should take things one step further.

"I'm thinking they should completely legalize it. The government would
generate huge profits off of it," Kent said.

"They're going to make money instead of just throwing away a joint," Kent
added.

"Everyone is for it. Only the police force shows opposition, and even that
is divided," Kent said.

This opposition is visible through the uneasiness McNorton and the rest of
the Windsor Police Department have shown toward the proposed legislation.

Through this "alternative punishment" plan there are specific amounts of
marijuana that generate specific penalties - this is what creates concern.

"We want police discretion. There could be aggravating circumstances. With
each situation there are circumstances to consider," McNorton said.

With a border stretching more than 5,000 miles, President George Bush has
cautioned Canada that the U.S. would increase border patrol if marijuana
possession was decriminalized.

Government officials believe that lighter penalties in Canada would increase
drug activity in the U.S.

Canadian officials are just as concerned with this possible increase in
marijuana commotion. "As with any new legislation you just have to wait to
see how they affect you," McNorton said.

LSA junior Ru Talati said she also resonates the President's concern and is
therefore skeptical of easing up on drug policies.

"I don't think it's a good idea," Talati added.

"It's a great idea in theory, but there are a lot of unforeseeable
repercussions that could occur," Talati said. "One that I see is between the
border and what's going to happen there."

The close proximity to the border and a change in Canadian drug laws could
have an effect on student activities, LSA junior Christy Flanagan said.

"Maybe more people will choose to go there so they can smoke with less
risk," Flanagan said.

Flanagan added that she also believes the proposed legislation could be
beneficial, adding, "They're still criminalizing the source of the problem:
the people who are smuggling and distributing."

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm was unable to comment on the
decriminalization in Canada because it has not been implemented.

Granholm's spokeswoman, Liz Boyd, said the governor would definitely be
against any measures to decriminalize drugs in her state.

"If there was an effort to decriminalize in Michigan, the governor would
oppose it. We will maintain (drug) education, prevention, and law
enforcement," Boyd said.