MILLS FINDS SUPPORT LOW FOR REFORM OF POT LAWS

A Red Deer riding poll that showed 75 per cent of respondents opposed
marijuana law changes helped cement Red Deer MP Bob Mills's opposition to
pot reform.

The federal government's move to eliminate criminal penalties for simple
possession of marijuana is probably doomed anyway, Mills said Tuesday.

Mills doesn't support marijuana decriminalization based on several factors.

The professionally conducted poll was a key.

"I asked people what they thought of it (the current law) and 75 per cent
said not to change the law."

Some 400 people were polled.

He said the other 25 per cent indicated they would "consider" changes.

The electoral list was used and people were phoned, the Canadian Alliance
member said.

The results are considered accurate plus or minus two per cent, Mills said.

"I didn't know really where people stood and I wanted to get a better feel
(for the issue)."

Mills said he supports the Canadian Police Association, which opposes change.

"I believe the association when it says this can lead to harder drugs."

He said his experience as a teacher at a city high school and talks with
many parents allowed him to see the destructive nature of harder drugs.

He said police need better tools to deal with drug-impaired drivers.

Mills said the legislation doesn't deal with ways to ensure police can deal
with such drivers.

"I'm not a rabid opponent to what people do in the privacy of their homes
but when it ends up on the highways and leads to harder drug use, that
affects all of us."

Mills said there's considerable opposition in Parliament, even from the
governing Liberals, to change.

"Even at the Senate level the chances of this becoming law are fairly
remote," Mills said.

"Things move slowly here. It has to go to a committee hearing where 100
witnesses will be called, which will take several months."

He said the Liberals will then be into an election, expected some time this
fall after a leadership change.

"I don't think Mr. (Paul) Martin is going to want this issue as one of his
campaign planks."

Red Deer lawyer Kevin Sproule said the federal government's promise of a
tougher line against growers and dealers could mean more work for the courts.

The maximum sentence for illicit growers would be boosted to 14 years in
prison from the current seven. The penalty for trafficking would stay the
same, with a maximum life sentence.

"It may have the effect of increasing the amount of time the courts spend
on particularly the grow operations," said Sproule, who yearly handles
several clients facing pot charges.

He said large growers will now have more incentive to fight a charge
because of stiffer sentences.

Reforms:

"The message the federal government is sending is they want to treat
growers more harshly."

He said the government is putting an onus on judges to "lock people up" who
are convicted of growing pot.

John McBeath, another Red Deer lawyer, said many judges will see the
changes as Parliament telling them to impose stiffer sentences.

McBeath said he has a problem with the proposed law because it doesn't
really eliminate the "black market."

He said people won't get a record for possessing small amounts but they
will acquire a record if they're caught growing a small amount for personal
use.

Under proposed legislation, possession of up to 15 grams of pot -- enough
to roll about 15 or 20 joints -- would be a minor offence punishable by a fine.

Possession of pot, even for personal use, would still be against the law
under the new regime. The legislative changes would simply eliminate the
threat of jail time and a criminal record for small-time users.