POT DEBATE? NOT IN OHIO

Phila Chief Still No Fan of Easing Marijuana Laws

While Canadians debate over a proposal to decriminalize small amounts of
cannabis in their country - much to the chagrin of U.S. officials - the
state of Ohio did it in the 1980s.

In Ohio, possession of less than 100 grams of marijuana is a minor
misdemeanor, the equivalent of a speeding ticket, and punishable by a $100
fine.

There is no jail time.

Although New Philadelphia Police Chief Jeff Urban didn't give a ringing
endorsement to Ohio's law, he said there's not much police can do except to
follow it.

"We've lived with that for awhile," he said, "but the problem with marijuana
use is similar to alcohol use. It's a drug and it can lead to other
(dangerous) things."

According to the news service Reuters, the proposed Canadian law would only
fine people caught with 15 grams or less of marijuana - $110 (in U.S.
dollars) for adults and $73 for juveniles.

The bill also would reduce criminal penalties on the growth of up to 25
marijuana plants.

In cases of possession of 15 grams to 30 grams, police would be given the
discretion of a fine or press for a summary conviction which, as at present,
could result in up to six months in jail.

"When you lower the penalties, people tend to take more risk to use it,"
Urban said. "I think it's almost like saying it's OK in certain amounts -
which is not a good thing."

Lt. Doug Goudy, jail administrator at the Tuscarawas County jail, said he
believes Ohio marijuana laws should be stiffened because current ones don't
deter future drug use.

"I see people come in and out (of jail) for marijuana offenses all the time.
Many of them are repeat offenders," he said.

Plus, he added, "(Marijuana) leads to more serious drugs."

However, marijuana supporters welcome Canada's bill.

"We think it's a small but significant step in the right direction," said
Bruce Mirken, director of communications for the Marijuana Policy Project in
Washington, D.C.

The Marijuana Policy Project is a reform group, which promotes removal of
criminal punishment for marijuana use, especially for medical purposes.

Mirken said the "moderate" proposal would align Canada with other countries,
including Great Britain and Spain, which reportedly already have
decriminalized marijuana use.

In addition to Ohio, there are 11 other states that also have reportedly
eliminated jail time as punishment for possession of small amounts of
marijuana.

They are Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi,
Nebraska, Nevada, New York, North Carolina and Oregon.

Despite some state approval for the lower penalties, one of the biggest
opponents of Canada's proposal comes from the United States government.

U.S. drug czar John Walters reportedly worries about the potential for
increased marijuana imports into the country from its northerly neighbor and
greater cultivation of the drug.

And, according to the U.S. Justice Department's 2003 National Drug Threat
Assessment report, Canada is a main source of foreign-grown marijuana
available in the United States.

Walters reportedly has warned that this proposed Canadian law could tighten
security through U.S. borders, if approved.

However, Mirken contended Walters' claims are based loosely on factual
information and said, "there are no signs of (these great dangers)" in the
12 decriminalized states.

Not every provision of the Canadian proposal is met with open arms by the
Marijuana Policy Project, Mirken said.

According to Reuters, the bill also would increase maximum penalties for
large marijuana cultivators. Mirken said his marijuana reform organization
has concerns with this term.

"By increasing penalties and toughening enforcement of growth and
distribution, what they may do is push the marijuana market further into the
hands of the most hardcore criminal element," Mirken said.

He said his reform group would agree to a regulated system, like alcohol and
tobacco.

"There is room for discussion on the details," he said, "but we would like
to see a regulated market for adults with punishment reserved for behavior
which harms others."