POT PROPOSAL DRAWS FIRE

Many noses were out of joint Tuesday due to the federal government's motion
to eliminate criminal penalties for simple possession of marijuana while
toughening laws against growers and dealers.

Const. Brent Secondiak with the Medicine Hat Police Service said the
government should be taking a hard line in all directions when it comes to
drugs.

"We often see that people in possession of a small quantity of marijuana,
who would be dealt with more leniently under this law, are often into crack
cocaine, too," said Secondiak. "Marijuana is very much a gateway drug."

Under the legislation introduced by federal Justice Minister Martin
Cauchon, individual users could face fines while dealers and growers face
harsher penalties.

"We know that tough penalties work," said Secondiak. "Nobody used to wear
their seat-belts and tough laws have changed that."

Sgt. Murray Morton said the association of chiefs of police in Alberta has
taken a hard-line stance opposing the decriminalization of marijuana.

"That is also the official stance of the Medicine Hat Police Service," said
Morton.

He said police cannot control marijuana use now and decriminalizing it will
certainly result in less control.

"Where are you going to get marijuana if it's legalized? If you can go down
to the drug store to get it, where does that drug store get it?" asked Morton.

He said the federal government's move towards decriminalization is the
opposite tactic Alberta is taking for traffic safety. By increasing traffic
fines, the province hopes to decrease the number of traffic infractions.

"The feds are taking the opposite approach. They think if they
decriminalize marijuana they'll avoid court process."

Rita Aman, program co-ordinator of smoke-free children, families and
communities, said the government seems to be sending mixed messages to the
public.

"On the one hand, the government is tightening legislation about tobacco
use and on the other, we see steps to decriminalize marijuana," said Aman.
"Yet the tar in marijuana is much more dangerous than tar in cigarettes."

The decriminalization of marijuana is an example of the government putting
the cart before the horse, said Sylvia Takacs, president of Mothers Against
Drunk Driving Medicine Hat ad District.

"MADD Canada would like to see the justice minister block the
decriminalization of cannabis at least until there are laws in place when
it comes to drug-impaired driving," said Takacs.

Drug impairment is the same as alcohol impairment in its effect on motor
skills and vision, said Takacs, who referenced a number of crashes where
people have died or been seriously injured due to a drug-impaired driver.

"I know this decriminalization topic has people on either side and I think
each person should decide for themselves when it comes to marijuana use,
but when you get blitzed and get behind the wheel, that becomes my business."