MPS SAY PROPOSED POT LAW NEEDS CHANGES

Many Canadians are wondering what to think of the marijuana
decriminalization debate. Local MPs are no exception.

Lloydminster Meridian Booster--Many Canadians are wondering what to think
of the marijuana decriminalization debate. Local MPs are no exception.

"Most of us have gone in with a fairly open mind about decriminalization,"
said Lakeland Alliance MP Leon Benoit. "But the way the bill is now I
wouldn't vote for it."

Marijuana would remain illegal under the bill introduced May 27, but small
amounts of pot would move from the criminal realm of the courts to minor
ticketing offences.

Under the proposed legislation possession of 15 grams of weed would result
in a $150 fine for an adult and $100 for a minor. Possession of 15 to 30
grams bumps the fines up to $300 and $200 respectively, though police would
be able to lay criminal charges leading to six months in jail and $1,000 in
fines.

While penalties for possessing pot would go down, they increase for people
puffing while driving or near a school.

Growers also face tougher measures. Growing 50 plants or more could lead to
a maximum of 14 years in prison, which is double the current seven year
ceiling.

Neither of Lloydminster's MPs are closing the door on decriminalization
completely, but they say they need direction from their constituents and
some significant amendments before they could support the bill.

"The numbers are screwed," said Battlefords-Lloydminster Alliance MP Gerry
Ritz. "It doesn't address grow ops, gives no new tools to police and
doesn't look at border security."

The amount of pot that could be decriminalized is one number Ritz doesn't like.

"(The proposed amount) is three to six times higher than allowed in
Holland," he said. "They allow five grams, enough for one joint. Fifteen to
30 grams isn't a joint, it's a party."

While Ritz and Benoit agree the possession amount is too high, they also
agree that consequences for growers are too low.

"There's no minimal jail sentence for grow ops," said Benoit. "Judges would
have the same digression they have now. Any amount of marijuana is
currently illegal and judges don't do much."

Alliance MPs also have trouble understanding why minors would pay less in
fines for having the same amount of pot as an adult. "We need to send a
stronger message to young people," said Benoit. "This legislation does the
opposite, it gives a discount to young people. What kind of message does
that send?"

Proponents of decriminalization argue fines will be a stronger deterrent
than a criminal record for young people, but Ritz disagrees. He says the
amount of weed a young person could get ticketed for would be worth more
than the $100 fine itself.

The degree of punishment aside, Lloydminster's MPs are wondering how the
legislation would be enforced, especially as it relates to driving under
the influence. Road-side tests similar to breathalyzers used to test for
alcohol aren't yet available to detect pot. Benoit and Ritz say those tests
need to be in place for the law to change.

Both MPs say it is conceivable they'd support decriminalization, but
there's a lot of questions that would have to be addressed before they'd
vote in favour. Their constituents would have to support the move. The
amount of decriminalized possession would have to fall. Minimum sentences
for growers would have to climb. And the "discount" for young people would
have to disappear.

The chances of achieving such amendments aren't good, according to Ritz.
But Benoit is more hopeful.

"I don't think this bill will go through quickly," he said. "There will be
a lot of public involvement. It could be a really good example of the way
democracy should work."