LOCAL COPS GIVE THUMBS DOWN TO POT LAW

The federal government's plan to decriminalize marijuana use is sending a
"dangerous message" to the community, and in particular, to those who drink
and use, said a senior Red Deer RCMP officer.

"If we are going to relax our view on possession does that mean we relax
our view on driving when using it," said Red Deer city RCMP Insp. Peter
Calvert. "Until such time they are able to come up with a methodology of
being able to detect it, consistent as they do with alcohol, I think it is
very dangerous to start heading down these paths."

The legislation to decriminalize marijuana was tabled in the House of
Commons Tuesday. If passed, the new law will eliminate criminal penalties
for possession of 15 grams of marijuana or less. The federal government is
proposing fines up to $250 for youths and $400 for adults caught with up to
15 grams of marijuana. Ottawa also plans to set aside an additional $245
million over the next five years to beef up law enforcement efforts, and
fund education, information, research and treatment programs aimed at
cutting down drug use.

However, Calvert said the new law will put greater pressure on police
forces to monitor drivers who are under the influence of marijuana. He
noted there are no device currently available to accurately gauge levels of
marijuana in a person's blood system, compared to the well known
breathalyser test to check levels of alcohol in the blood stream.

Calvert said the only tool police forces now have are drug recognition
techniques, which require extensive training. He said his detachment does
not have an expert in that area.

"I'm also concerned about the message we are sending to the youth. In any
type of substance, if we minimize it, we are once again sending a message
that it is okay," said Calvert. "They are saying it's going to eliminate
criminal records for minor amounts of marijuana. Does that mean we
eliminate criminal records for minor thefts? No we don't."